Flamengo Rio de Janeiro has won the Brazilian Soccer Cup. The team defeated SC Corinthians 6-5 on penalties in the second leg of the final at the Maracanã Stadium in Rio.
Rodinei converted the decisive penalty. The score was 1-1 after regulation time and extra time. The goals came from the rising Pedro (7th minute) for Flamengo, Giuliano (82nd) equalized for Corinthians. Former Bundesliga professional Arturo Vidal started at Flamengo but was substituted. The first leg in São Paulo between two of Brazil’s most popular football clubs had ended goalless.
Riots when the fans were admitted
Things were tense ahead of the second leg in Rio as ticketless fans tried to get into the Maracanã. According to the Brazilian news portal G1, the police used rubber bullets. 40 people were arrested and the police presence was increased. However, riots broke out again when the fans left the stadium.
Flamengo also in the final of the Copa Libertadores
After winning the cup, Flamengo still has a chance of winning the Copa Libertadores, the South American version of the Champions League. The final on October 29 in the Ecuadorian port city of Guayaquil will see the Brazilian duel against Athletico Paranaense, coached by former Brazil national coach Felipe Scolari.
It will then be the third time in a row that two football clubs from Brazil will meet in the Copa Libertadores final. Flamengo, winners of 1981 and 2019, lost to Palmeiras São Paulo in the final last year.