Author: Serg Atrakhov, Vishwajit Sawant
São Paulo – Flamengo – 1:1
In the history of the Copa do Brasil, the team that lost the first leg of the final has only won the trophy four times (Internacional 1992, Palmeiras 1998 and 2015, Sport 2008). But all these clubs lost in their first match, AWAY FROM HOME. The situation for
Flamengo’s situation was more complicated – they lost the first match at home (0:1)
.
The game began with an early scare for São Paulo, with Flamengo’s Pedro breaking through the defense in the first minute, only to be denied by an excellent save from São Paulo goalkeeper Rafael. And as early as the 10th minute, Dorival Júnior had to make changes at the back – Arboleda injured the back of his left thigh.
Changes in a position of such responsibility always affect the team’s actions, especially when they are unplanned. Flamengo, adopting an aggressive stance with Arrascaeta, Pedro, Bruno Henrique and Gerson, put a lot of pressure on São Paulo, making it difficult for the Tricolor to keep possession. Soon the two São Paulo midfielders received warnings for failing to keep up with their opponents’ movement. Right-back Rafinha also received a yellow card.
There weren’t many dangerous moments in the first half. Calleri and Rossi tested each other’s goalkeepers and the atmosphere in the Morumbi became tense. The turning point of the first half came in the 43rd minute. Rafael kicked the ball after Pulgar’s cross hit the post. The ball hit Bruno Henrique’s knee and he sent it into the goal – 0-1.
The aggregate score remained the same, but Flamengo’s joy was short-lived. The referee gave five minutes of extra time and, as the last of them was expiring, Rodrigo Nestor hit a long-range shot – 1:1.
The second half began with both teams showing less intensity, possibly due to the sweltering late afternoon heat in São Paulo. Flamengo started most of the attacks, mainly with speed moves from Bruno Henrique. São Paulo looked tired and struggled to keep possession.
In the 94th minute, São Paulo launched a counter-attack, with Lucas Moura delivering an excellent ball to Luciano. In a one-on-one with Rossi, Luciano’s shot narrowly missed the target, prompting a request for a penalty that wasn’t answered. The match culminated in a thrilling crescendo, with Flamengo’s last chance coming in the 98th minute, when Pulgar’s shot sailed over Rafael’s goal. Finally, in the 101st minute, Ayrton Lucas shot, but Rafael made a crucial save to preserve São Paulo’s lead.
Gabriel Neves received yellow cards in the 90+5th and 90+10th minutes, but the expulsion didn’t bother the São Paulo player too much – after all, his team managed to win the trophy!
The victory ended São Paulo’s 11-year title drought and marked their first Copa do Brasil title in 34 editions. And another nice bonus – São Paulo secured their place in the 2024 Copa Libertadores.
Note that São Paulo won the biggest cash prize in the history of the Copa do Brasil – 88.7 million reais!
- For winning the final – 70 million;
- For the win in 1/2 (Corinthians) – 9 million reais;
- For winning 1/4 (Palmeiras) – 4.3 million reais;
- For winning the 1/8 (Sports) – 3.3 million reais;
- For victory in the third stage (Ituano) – 2.1 million reais;
Flamengo earned a total of 48.7 million reais. The defeat in the final reduced the total earning potential by almost half, to 40 million.
- The club received 30 million for reaching the final;
- Victory in 1/2 (Grêmio) – 9 million reais;
- Victory in 1/4 (Atlético-PR) – 4.3 million reais;
- Victory in 1/8 (Fluminense) – R$3.3 million
- Victory in the third stage (Maringu) – 2.1 million reais
Dorival Júnior won the Copa do Brasil for the third time. Previously, he managed to lead Santos to victory in 2010 and Flamengo in 2022. Only Luiz Felipe Scolari has won the Copa do Brasil more times. In 1991 with Crisiuma, in 1994 with Grêmio and twice with Palmeiras (1998, 2012).
COACHES WITH THE MOST TITLES IN THE HISTORY OF THE BRAZIL CUP
- 1st – Felipão – 4
- 2nd – Dorival Júnior, Mano Menezes – 3
- 4th – Renato Gaúcho, Levir Culpi – 2