Filipe Luís talks about changes in Flamengo x LAFC: “our focus…”

On Wednesday night (6), Flamengo beat Atlético-MG 1-0 at Arena MRV and tied the match 1-1 on aggregate. However, the penalty shootout decided who qualified for the semifinals of the Copa do Brasil. With perfect use of penalties, the Minas Gerais team confirmed their place, while Rubro-Negro said goodbye to the national competition.

Despite being eliminated, Flamengo performed well throughout the 90 minutes. With greater possession and offensive volume, the Rio de Janeiro team created good chances and scored through Pedro in the second half. However, the penalty shootout ended Flamengo's run in the tournament.

WALLACE YAN MISSES PENALTY

After the end of the match, Filipe Luís spoke about the choice of batsmen and defended Wallace Yan, who missed the last penalty for Mais Querido: " They were the players who bat better, who were available , who were more confident to bat," he said before concluding.

" I myself have made mistakes (being) very confident in penalty shootouts . Penalties are penalties, there is a very fine line between victory and defeat. The only thing I can say is that I am proud of the players who went out there and took the ball with the courage to take it," said the full-back.

FLAMENGO SHOWS PERFORMANCE

During regulation time, Filipe Luís's team demonstrated control. Consistently creating opportunities and neutralizing Atlético-MG's attack, the team maintained its dominance.

Cebolinha's goal gave the fans hope, but the penalty shootout ultimately thwarted the red-and-blacks' plans. With Wallace Yan missing his shot and the Minas Gerais team converting the final ball , elimination was sealed, despite a competitive performance on the field.

The match between Atlético-MG and Flamengo ended in a thrilling finale at Mineirão Stadium. After a 1-0 victory for Flamengo in regulation time, which tied the aggregate score at 1-1, qualification for the Copa do Brasil quarterfinals was decided by penalty kicks. Goalkeeper Everson's superb save, scoring the decisive final goal, proved decisive—Galo won 4-3 on penalties and advanced in the competition.

Flamengo needed the win and was superior for much of the match. From the start, they dominated possession and created the best chances. Twenty minutes into the first half, Everton Cebolinha opened the scoring after an assist from Plata, dribbling past Natanael and finishing with precision.

After the game, the number 11 celebrated the goal and recalled the challenges he faced after his injury in 2023: " It was a very important goal for me, it gives me confidence . Everyone knows about the injury I had last year; it was very difficult. I still have some lingering effects, and I was even unsure whether or not to play on synthetic leather. I prepared well this week while I was out. I was able to score with my finishing," Cebolinha remarked.

FLAMENGO WINS 1-0

Despite the pressure, Atlético-MG managed to stay in the game, even struggling to impose its rhythm against the opposing defense. Hulk and Scarpa's attacks created danger, but were not enough to equalize. The match ended 1-0 to Flamengo, sending the decision to penalties.

EVERSON DECIDES ON PENALTIES

In the penalty shootout, Everson's experience made the difference. The goalkeeper saved Samuel Lino's shot, saw Wallace Yan clear the ball, and then confidently converted his own shot into the bottom corner. For Galo, Igor Gomes, Gustavo Scarpa, and Hulk also scored. For Flamengo, Saúl, Jorginho, and Arrascaeta scored, but it wasn't enough.

Horizonte, but was eliminated from the Copa do Brasil in a penalty shootout. The result reversed the deficit from the first game—in which the Minas Gerais team had won by the same score, sending the decision to penalties. In the shootout, Galo was more efficient, winning 4-3 and securing a spot in the semifinals.

For Atlético, goalkeeper Everson , a standout performer in the standings with a save and a goal scored in the match, spoke about the weight of the victory and praised the opponent's strength: "Of course, it means a lot. We come out much stronger (...). The current champion and the two finalists from the last competition... So, eliminating the current champion, the strongest squad, the best squad in the country , was obviously the favorite to happen in this duel between these two teams," he told SporTV.

“Very happy to have done my part, this contribution, to have saved another penalty and to have made the fifth penalty with more certainty, and to have helped my team to advance to the next stage, which was of great importance to us, right?”, he concluded.

WALLACE MISSES DECISIVE KICK

Flamengo dominated the second half, creating good chances, and scoring through Pedro after a fine individual play. However, in the penalty shootout, Wallace Yan missed his spot kick , and Atlético-MG was perfect: Everson saved one penalty and converted the last, sealing Minas Gerais' qualification.

FLAMENGO FACES MIRASSOL

Eliminated from the Copa do Brasil, Flamengo returns to the field on Saturday (09), at 6:30 pm (Brasília time), when it faces Mirassol at Maracanã, for the 18th round of the Brazilian Championship. Rubro-Negro leads the competition with 37 points and aims for emotional recovery after the fall in Belo Horizonte.