On Wednesday night (14), Flamengo entered the field with a good advantage, after a 3-1 in the first leg, in the semi-final of the Copa do Brasil, but did not settle. Playing at home, at Maracanã, in the second leg, the team led by Dorival Junior played well, beat São Paulo 1-0 and secured a well-deserved place in the grand final of this edition of the tournament.

In addition to the qualification, achieved with a beautiful goal by Uruguayan De Arrascaeta, in front of 62.977 people, the match was also marked as defender Léo Pereira's 100th game with the Sacred Mantle.

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The title will be decided in two games, scheduled for October 12 and 19, against the winner of the duel between Fluminense and Corinthians. The first match between the teams, at Maracanã, ended in a 2-2 draw; the return game will be this Thursday (15), at 20 pm, at Neo Química Arena.

The game

The first dangerous move for the red-and-black team came just two minutes into the match, with a pass from Arrascaeta to Everton Ribeiro, who shot over Jandrei's crossbar. In the seventh minute, after exchanging passes with Ribeiro, it was Rodinei's turn to try a lob into the Tricolor goalkeeper's left corner, but the ball went out of bounds. Ten minutes into the match, São Paulo created a threatening situation: face-to-face with Santos, Luciano shot from close range, which drew a great save from the red-and-black goalkeeper, but the linesman had already flagged for offside. In the 10th minute, another offside was called, this time on an attacking move by Flamengo, after Pedro received the ball from Gabi to find the net. In the 16th minute, the ball fell to Gabriel in midfield, and the striker unleashed a powerful shot; the shot curled into the left corner, but Jandrei made a great save. In the next play, Arrascaeta dribbled along the right edge of the penalty area, risked a shot, but the ball bounced off the defense and went out for a corner.

Mengão's goal came in the 35th minute, a masterpiece: David Luiz passed to Pedro, who passed to Everton Ribeiro; the midfielder delivered a sweet pass to Arrascaeta, who turned and, with a venomous tap, pushed it into the back of the net. The aggregate score reached 4-1, and the Nation was relentless in its celebration in the stands at the Mário Filho stadium. In the final minutes of the first half, almost another masterpiece for the red-and-black museum: Gabigol collected a rebound at the edge of the box and saw Jandrei ahead; the number nine chipped the ball over the goalkeeper, who saved the opposing goal with a move worthy of a volleyball sweeper.

The second half started at a fast pace, with both teams coming out swinging. Flamengo nearly extended their lead in the fourth minute with an incredible move: Gabi received a pass from Arrascaeta and was blocked by the goalkeeper; on the rebound, João Gomes passed to Pedro, who attempted a pull-back, but the ball went over. Subsequently, after a back-and-forth in Flamengo's box, the ball fell to Luciano, who hit the post; the rebound, Calleri, unmarked, fired over the bar. In the 16th minute, Filipe Luís laid off Everton Ribeiro at the edge of the box; the midfielder took a chance, and the ball hit the crossbar.

In the final minutes of the duel, the pace of the match slowed down and the scoreboard remained announcing the simple - and sufficient - victory of the finalist Flamengo.

Speak, teacher!

Undefeated in 19 games at the helm of Mais Querido, Dorival Júnior celebrated another final reached and chose the key point of the season.

"A defining match was in the Copa do Brasil in Belo Horizonte, against Atlético-MG. We lost there, perhaps the last time we lost and conceded two goals, but from then on, I think we only conceded 24 goals in 10 games. That match was significant because it showed the team's potential for growth. But with the defeat, it's natural for everything to fade away. That match was a turning point. Little by little, we felt progress, not only with the midweek team, but also with the weekend team. We sought stability, which we achieved. The numbers are important, but the possibility of reaching two finals, a feat few believed, is due to the hard work, dedication, and commitment of everyone," said the coach.

Technical sheet

Flamengo 1x0 Sao Paulo - Semifinal, Brazilian Cup

Location: Mario Filho Stadium, Maracanã - Rio de Janeiro-RJ

Date and time: 14/09/2022, at 21:45 pm

Refereeing: Wilton Pereira Sampaio, Bruno Raphael Pires, Bruno Boschilia, Jefferson Ferreira de Moraes

Yellow cards: Reinaldo (SAO), Welington (SAO), Léo Pereira (FLA)

Goals: De Arrascaeta (35' 1st half)

Flamengo lineup

Santos; Rodinei, David Luiz, Leo Pereira and Filipe Luis; João Gomes, Thiago Maia (Vidal), De Arrascaeta and E. Ribeiro (Victor Hugo); Pedro and Gabi.

Coach: Dorival Junior

Sao Paulo lineup

Jandrei; Igor V., Diego Costa, Reinaldo (Welington) and Alisson (Galoppo); Calleri, Luciano, Léo and Nestor; Pablo Maia and Patrick.

Coach: Rogério Ceni