Flamengo takes the lead against Galo in the 2024 Copa do Brasil final

Flamengo took the first step towards the Copa do Brasil title by beating Atlético-MG 3-1 in the Maracanã. Gabigol was the standout player, ending his scoring drought from open play since July with two goals—something he hadn’t done since early 2023.

Catch the recap of this first match and the expectations for the decider at Arena MRV!

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Flamengo 3-1 Atlético-MG

Flamengo’s lineup for the final: Rossi; Wesley, Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira, Alex Sandro (Ayrton Lucas); Everton Araújo, Arrascaeta (Alcaraz), Gerson; Michael, Plata (Fabrício Bruno), Gabriel (Varela).

Atlético-MG’s lineup for the final: Everson; Lyanco (Saravia), Battaglia, Junior Alonso; Gustavo Scarpa (Alan Kardec), Otávio (Zaracho), Alan Franco, Guilherme Arana (Alisson), Rubens; Paulinho, Hulk.

Flamengo’s fans set up a huge display and celebration for the match. Alongside the club colors and a 3D Copa do Brasil trophy, there was a banner reading “Together for the Cup” and many flags. The club also added smoke and fireworks to the atmosphere.

Atlético fans filled the visiting section, celebrating even before kickoff and making their presence known amidst the sea of red and black.

Flamengo started strong, dominating the entire first half.

In the first minute, Plata missed a pass, and Hulk took control just outside the box, only to be dispossessed by Léo Pereira. Scarpa took the rebound, cut to his left, and fired a shot, but Rossi tipped it over for a corner.

At the 6th minute, Gabigol sent a beautiful long pass to Michael, who beat Battaglia and Lyanco but fired a dangerous shot just wide.

At the 11th minute, Wesley made a run through the middle and found Michael on the left, who then passed to Gabigol. Gabigol struck first-time, forcing a save from Everson, and Arrascaeta pounced on the rebound to put Flamengo ahead.

In the 23rd minute, Alex Sandro won the ball, and Arrascaeta laid it off for Plata, who volleyed it over the goal.

At the 30th minute, Léo Pereira fired a stunning shot from distance, aiming for the top corner, but Everson made an excellent save to push it out for a corner.

At the 32nd minute, Rubens crossed, and Scarpa struck first-time but sent it over the bar.

In the 39th minute, Léo Ortiz played a long pass, Plata flicked it on with his head, and Gabigol stayed calm, beating Everson with a cool finish. Flamengo extended their lead, though there was initial doubt about an offside, but Lyanco had kept Gabigol onside.

Photo: Thiago Ribeiro/AGIF

Seven minutes into the second half, Atlético had a chance with Arana and Scarpa, both blocked, and Hulk then shot off target with his right foot.

At the 12th minute, Hulk took a short corner, received the ball back, and crossed it in. Junior Alonso’s header went dangerously close but just wide.

In the 29th minute, Zaracho lost the ball, Alcaraz launched a counter-attack, and passed to Gabigol, who controlled it in the box and struck a left-footed shot across the goal to score his second of the game, making it 3-0 for Flamengo.

Photo: Wagner Meier/Getty Images via AFP

With that goal, Gabigol reached 17 goals in finals, surpassing the likes of Luis Suárez and Ronaldo Fenômeno, becoming the seventh player with the most goals in finals.

At the 35th minute, Zaracho found Alan Kardec, who took advantage of a Léo Ortiz error and scored with a shot from the edge of the box, giving Rossi no chance.

Photo: André Durão

Atlético-MG had a few more chances toward the end but couldn’t close the gap, leaving them with a disadvantage for the final showdown on November 10 at Arena MRV in Belo Horizonte.

Written by Henry Miller.