All was equal in the first leg of the 2017 Copa do Brasil final. Flamengo and Cruzeiro drew 1-1 at the Maracanã stadium this Thursday, and neither team came out ahead in the second leg. The goals came in the second half, with Lucas Paquetá opening the scoring in the 30th minute, but Arrascaeta equalized for the visitors eight minutes later. The final will now be played on September 27th at the Mineirão stadium. 

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Reinaldo Rueda fielded a modified team from recent games. The two biggest doubts were in goal and attack. The coach opted for Thiago as goalkeeper and, without Guerrero, who was suspended, he went with Lucas Paquetá in the center, with Berrio and Everton on the wings. In midfield, Rueda fielded Marcio Araújo in place of the previously starting Cuéllar, who was with the Colombian national team and did not train with the team last week. 

The game began with both teams studying each other, but always maintaining their aggressiveness. Both teams sought quick passes to find space on the field, but their defenses were well-positioned. Flamengo had the first big chance of the game. In the seventh minute, Diego launched a pass from midfield and found Berrío free, but the Colombian couldn't get a powerful header, leaving the ball easy for Fábio. Cruzeiro responded immediately. Robinho received the ball on the left and shot, but Thiago saved well in the middle of the goal. 

Flamengo tried hard on the wings. Diego and Arão played Berrío and Everton into the air to try to get the ball in the air. In the 27th minute, it almost worked. Diego sent a ball over the bar to Paquetá, who beat the defense and headed it, but Fábio made a great save. A minute later, Paquetá passed to Berrío, who beat Diogo Barbosa's speed, but his shot was weak, and Fábio saved again. 

The best chances fell to Cruzeiro. The team began playing its signature style, with passing and through balls, and eventually had 63% possession. Cruzeiro rarely had possession of the ball. Cruzeiro had another great opportunity with Diego, a beautiful shot from outside the box, in the 38th minute, but Fábio once again saved. And the first half ended goalless. 

The second half started at a much slower pace. Minas Gerais' first big chance fell in the 12th minute, with Alisson, but Thiago made a great save and sent the ball out for a corner. Rueda wanted to add more pace to the team and sent Vinícius Júnior in for Rodinei, moving Everton to left back and Pará to the right. 

Flamengo only got on the attack in the 20th minute, with a one-two with Arão and Paquetá, who the defense cleared before the shot could be taken. Rueda made another change, this time bringing on Cuéllar for Márcio Araújo. 

Rubro-Negro maintained control of the action and possession, but had few shots on goal. When they did, however, they were dangerous. In the 26th minute, Berrío made a great play on the right and crossed into the six-yard box. Fábio saved and rebounded. Berrío also passed to Arão, who fired a low shot, but Fábio saved again. But in the 30th minute, there was no way out, and the Maracanã erupted. 

A corner kick was cleared by the defense, and Réver grabbed the rebound first time. Fábio made a great save, but the ball fell to Paquetá, who slotted it into the net to open the scoring. 

With the advantage, Flamengo went all out in search of a second goal, but were eventually punished by a lucky move from Cruzeiro. In the 38th minute, Hudson took a shot from distance, Thiago rebounded, and Arrascaeta, who had just come on, finished into the net from a clear spot. 

With the goal, Cruzeiro players gained more confidence and equalized the game, which continued without much excitement until the end. 

Flamengo 1x1 Cruzeiro

Copa do Brasil

07/09/2017 - Maracanã

Flamengo: Thiago, Rodinei, Réver, Juan and Pará. Marcio Araújo, Willian Arão and Diego. Berrío, Everton and Lucas Paquetá. 

Coach: Reinaldo Rueda. 

Cruzeiro: Fabio, Ezequiel, Leo, Murilo, and Diogo Barbosa. Henrique, Hudson, Robinho, and Thiago Neves. Rafael Sóbis and Alisson. 

Coach: Mano Menezes. 
Goals: In the second half - Flamengo: Lucas Paquetá (30 minutes); Cruzeiro: Arrascaeta (38 minutes)