The kick-off for the Copa do Brasil final has been given! And Mengão took the lead by beating Atlético-MG 3-1, on Sunday afternoon (3), at Maracanã. With a goal from Arrascaeta and two from the destined Gabi, Rubro-Negro has a good advantage for Belo Horizonte, and could even lose by one difference to win the fifth championship.  

With these two goals, Gabi reaches the incredible tally of 17 final goals for Flamengo. In total, the top scorer has scored 160 goals wearing the Sacred Mantle.

The game
The opening minutes were intensely studious, with Flamengo trying to control possession. The red-and-black team's first good move came just five minutes in. Gabi delivered a great pass to Michael on the left; he cut through the defenders and fired a low shot. The ball skimmed the post.

And it didn't take long for Mengão to open the scoring! Gerson initiated the play in the defensive half and found Wesley. The full-back carried the ball to the midfield and passed it to Michael, who quickly passed it to Gabi, who fired a first-time shot. Everson palmed it forward, Arrascaeta collected the rebound and slotted it into the back of the net: 1-0.

With the advantage, the red-and-black team advanced their lines and exchanged passes in the attacking half. When they lost possession, they marked Atlético's ball out under pressure. In the 28th minute, Léo Pereira advanced through the middle and attempted a bomb from the edge of the box. Everson jumped into the corner and palmed it away for a corner.

Before halftime, Mengão scored the second to extend their lead. And it was with him, the destined Gabigol! After a pass into attack, Plata managed to head the ball away, and the ball fell to the number 99, who shot low past the goalkeeper: 2-0. Flamengo played a stunning first half, exploiting their opponent's defensive lapses.

In the first minute of the second half, Michael received a free kick on the left, the defense pressed, and he passed it to Gerson to shoot from the edge of the box. The ball went over the goal. Needing to close the gap, Atlético pushed forward more and tried to threaten Rossi's goal.

On the other hand, the Mais Querido also looked to attack to score the third. This opened up the game, with both teams looking to score. Filipe Luís's first substitution was Alcaraz for Arrascaeta.

Then, in the 28th minute, Mengão reached the third goal again with Gabigol! Michael stole the ball in the center circle, Alcaraz drove through the middle and found the striker wide open on the left. He cut through the defense and fired a superb shot into the goalkeeper's left corner: 3-0 and a national celebration at the Maracanã! Gabi reached the 160-goal mark for the Sacred Mantle, 17 of which came in finals.

Atlético-MG pulled one back in the 34th minute with Alan Kardec, who finished into Rossi's corner: 3-1. The goal woke up the Minas Gerais team, who began to put pressure on Fla, keeping more possession of the ball.

In the final minutes, Gabigol was replaced by Varela, receiving a standing ovation from the fans. Atlético-MG rushed forward in search of a second goal, but Flamengo held on and emerged with a crucial victory. Now, Mengão could even lose by a single goal and still win their fifth Copa do Brasil title.

Week's agenda
Rubro-Negro returns to the field next Wednesday (6) to face Cruzeiro, at 21 pm, at Independência, for the 32nd round of the Brasileirão.

Flamengo
Rossi; Wesley, Leo Ortiz, Leo Pereira and Alex Sandro (Ayrton Lucas); Evertton Araújo, Gerson and Arrascaeta (Alcaraz); Michael, Plata (Fabrício Bruno) and Gabi (Varela).
Coach: Filipe Luís.

Athletic-MG
Everson; Lyanco (Saravia), Battaglia and Junior Alonso; Gustavo Scarpa (Alan Kardec), Otávio (Zaracho), Alan Franco, Rubens and Guilherme Arana (Alisson); Paulinho and Hulk.
Coach: Gabriel Milito.

Technical sheet
Flamengo 3x1 Atlético-MG – First leg of the Copa do Brasil Final
Location: Maracanã-RJ
Audience and income: 67.459 / R$ 15.692.580,00
Date and time: 03/11/2024 at 16:XNUMX am
Refereeing: Rafael Rodrigo Klein (FIFA/RS), Bruno Raphael Pires (FIFA/GO) and Bruno Boschilia (FIFA/PR)
Yellow cards: Guilherme Arana (CAM) and Alex Sandro (FLA)
Goals: Arrascaeta (10'1st half), Gabi (38'1st half and 28'2nd half) and Alan Kardec (34'2nd half).