It was a gala night at Maracanã. With the team and fans playing at the same pace, Mengão was technically and tactically superior from the first to the last minute of the game, easily beating Atlético MG 2-0 (Arrascaeta [2]), and with an aggregate score of 3-2, secured their qualification for the quarterfinal stage of the Copa do Brasil. The opponent will be defined in a draw scheduled for next Tuesday (19), at the CBF headquarters in Rio de Janeiro.

Red-black pressure

The first half was a one-sided affair. Mengão pressed from the first to the last second. So much so that within five minutes, they had already created two excellent scoring opportunities, with Pedro and Gabi. In the 12th minute, Arrascaeta made a great individual play, passing three players, and shooting powerfully. In the stunned moment, Everson performed a miracle, preventing the Mais Querido's first goal at the Maracanã.

 

The red-and-blacks' superiority increased with each attack. In the 14th minute, after a beautiful triangulation, Pedro back-heeled the ball, and João Gomes fired a first-time shot, drawing another save from Atlético's goalkeeper. Gomes saved the Minas Gerais club again in the 37th minute, with Pedro heading in a superb cross from Rodinei.

And it was in the dying moments of the first half that Mengão finally managed to translate all their on-field superiority into a goal. In the 45th minute, Pedro drove the ball through the attacking midfield, leaving Arrascaeta face-to-face with goal. With tremendous skill, the red-and-black midfielder slotted the ball past Everson, sending the Maracanã stadium into a frenzy. It was the final play before halftime. 

Fla confirms classification in the second stage

The second half was lukewarm and measured, when Mengão extended their lead. In the 18th minute, Everton Ribeiro took a free kick into the box, Pedro deflected it at the near post, and Arrascaeta showed great opportunism to head it in and increase Mais's lead. A favorite in the game. It was the Uruguayan's tenth goal of the season.

The third goal almost arrived on the counterattack. In the 27th minute, Pedro beat his marker in a challenge and passed to Gabi, who fired a cross-shot. Goalkeeper Everson didn't allow a rebound. In the 32nd minute, Alonso committed a hard foul on Marinho and was sent off. From then on, in addition to their enormous technical superiority, Flamengo also had a numerical advantage on the field and masterfully managed the final minutes of the match, celebrating wildly alongside the nation at the final whistle. 

Next appointment

 

Flamengo returns to the field next Saturday (16), to face Coritiba, at 19 pm, at the Mané Garrincha Stadium in Brasília, for the 17th round of the Brasileirão.

Technical sheet

Flamengo 2X0 Atlético MG – Second leg of the round of XNUMX of the Copa do Brasil

Location: Maracanã, RJ

Date and time: 13/07/2022 at 21:30 pm

Referee: Wilton Pereira Sampaio 

Assistants: Bruno Raphael Pires and Bruno Boschilia

Yellow cards: Everton Ribeiro (FLA), João Gomes, Allan (ATL), Alonso (ATL), 

Red card: Alonso (ATL)

Goals: Arrascaeta (45' 1st half and 18' 2nd half).

 

Flamengo lineup:

Santos; Rodinei, David Luiz (Fabrício Bruno), Leo Pereira and Filipe Luis; João Gomes, Thiago Maia, Everton Ribeiro (Victor Hugo); Arrascaeta (Diego), Pedro (Marinho) and Gabi (Ayrton Lucas).

Coach: Dorival Junior.

Atlético MG lineup:

Everson; Mariano, Nathan S., Alonso, Arana; Allan (Igor Rabello), Jair (Otávio), Zaracho (Vargas); Nacho (Rubens), Ademir (Keno), Hulk.

Coach: Antonio Mohamed