TOWARDS ANOTHER FINAL! After gaining a good advantage in Porto Alegre, Flamengo beat Grêmio again, this time 1-0, on Wednesday night (16), at Maracanã. Arrascaeta, with a penalty kick, scored the red-black goal to the celebration of the little more than 65 thousand people present at the stadium.

With the result, Mengão advanced to its ninth Copa do Brasil final in history and will face São Paulo. The São Paulo team defeated Corinthians 2-0 at Morumbi Stadium and also qualified for the final.

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The game
The match began with Flamengo controlling possession and Grêmio committing fouls to stop the play. Just six minutes in, the red-and-black team created a threat for the first time. Gabi passed to Gerson, who crossed perfectly for Bruno Henrique to head home. Grando made an excellent save with his feet, preventing the game's first goal.

Needing a result, the Gaucho team pressed the red-and-blacks' ball out of play to try to find a counterattack. In the 29th minute, Matheus Cunha made a great save on Bitello's shot, sending it out for a corner, Grêmio's first real threat.

Flamengo suffered a setback in the first half. Right-back Varela fell to the ground and asked to be substituted. Matheuzinho, after a long period recovering from an injury, came on in the Uruguayan's place. In the 41st minute, after a quick counterattack by Flamengo, Victor Hugo sprinted downfield and entered the box. He tried to pass the ball to Bruno Henrique, but the defense cleared it.

The next minute, Arrascaeta spun around the Grêmio defense and fired a shot that Grando saved. Although the Red-Blacks created a few opportunities to open the scoring, the first half ended goalless. A result that qualifies Sampaoli's team for the final of the national competition.

As expected, Grêmio came forward at the start of the second half to try and score a goal, but the red-black team managed to ward off the danger, while also trying to value possession in the attacking field.

Before the 20th minute, Sampaoli made two changes to the team. Gabi and Victor Hugo were replaced by Luiz Araújo and Thiago Maia, respectively. The idea was to have greater marking power in midfield and more speed on the counterattack.

In the 24th minute, after a VAR review, the referee awarded a penalty in favor of Mengão. The play followed a corner kick taken in the box, where Léo Pereira headed the ball, hitting Rodrigo Ely's arm. Arrascaeta stepped up to take the penalty and opened the scoring, much to the delight of the nation at the Maracanã stadium: 1-0.

Even with the advantage, Mais Querido continued to attack in search of another. Pedro was released at speed down the left, cut inside, and was blocked as he shot.

In the final minutes, the red-and-black team controlled the result and left the field qualified for another Copa do Brasil final, the ninth in its history. Mengão will face São Paulo in the final.

Next appointment
The Most Beloved returns to the field on Sunday (20) to face Coritiba, at 16 pm, at Couto Pereira, for the 20th round of the Brasileirão.

Flamengo
Matheus Cunha; Varela (Matheuzinho), Fabrício Bruno, Leo Pereira and Filipe Luis; Erick (Allan), Victor Hugo (Thiago Maia) and Gerson; Arrascaeta, Bruno Henrique (Pedro) and Gabi (Luiz Araújo).
Coach: Jorge Sampaoli.

Grêmio
Gabriel Grando; João Pedro, Rodrigo Ely, Bruno Alves and Reinaldo; Villasanti, Carballo (João Pedro) and Cristaldo (Pepê); Bitello (Lucas Besozzi), Ferreira (Iturbe) and Luis Suárez.
Coach: Renato Gaucho.

Technical sheet
Flamengo 1x0 Grêmio - Brazilian Cup Semifinal (Return)
Location: Maracanã, RJ
Date and time: 16/08/2023 at 21:30 pm
Referees: Braulio da Silva Machado (FIFA/SC), Danilo Ricardo Simon Manis (FIFA/SP) and Nailton Junior de Souza Oliveira (FIFA/CE)
Yellow cards: Erick (FLA), João Pedro (GRE), Fabrício Bruno (FLA), Gerson (FLA), Rodrigo Ely (GRE), Luis Suárez (GRE), João Pedro Galvão (GRE), Luiz Araújo (FLA), Reinaldo (GRE) and Villasanti (GRE)
Goal: Arrascaeta (28'2nd half).