LUIZ ARAÚJO BECOMES ONE OF THE MOST EFFICIENT ATTACKERS IN THE 2024 SEASON AT FLAMENGO - CHECK OUT

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.

On Wednesday night (06), Flamengo beat Atlético-MG 1-0 at Arena MRV , but ended up being eliminated from the Copa do Brasil in the penalty shootout. The result reversed the disadvantage of the first game , in which the Minas Gerais team had won by the same score. In the penalties, the visitors got the better of it and secured a place in the semifinals of the tournament.

After the match, goalkeeper Rossi spoke to the press and assessed the Rio team's performance: "The truth is that we came here looking for a result. I think we played a good game, we managed to win the game, maybe we lacked a little bit at the end, a little bit of luck too to be able to make it 2-0. Then, the penalties are also luck and hard work," began the goalkeeper.

Rossi reveals his feelings after Flamengo's defeat: "The penalty has to have a winner"

"Wallace played a great game and saw the chance to take the penalty, he missed, but this continues. Now we're going to rest, it's good that on Saturday we have another final ahead of us. Every game we play for Flamengo is a final , so I think this continues here, obviously, nobody likes to be out, especially being the last champion, but I think we played a good game here too. And that's it, we lost the penalty, we won the game. The penalty has to have a winner, but we, unfortunately, missed," concluded the goalkeeper.

WALLACE MISSES DECISIVE KICK

Flamengo applied pressure, created good chances, and controlled the match for much of the 90 minutes, capping off a second-half goal from Pedro. However, on penalty kicks, Wallace Yan missed his shot, and Atlético-MG converted all of their attempts, advancing in the tournament.

NEXT APPOINTMENT

Next Saturday (09), Flamengo turns its attention to the Brasileirão . At 6:30 pm (Brasília time), Rubro-Negro faces Mirassol, at Maracanã at 6:30 pm. It is worth remembering that Mais Querido is the leader of the national tournament with 37 points.