flamingo, Corinthians Y Fluminense advanced this Wednesday to the semifinals of the Brazil Cupthe second tournament in importance of the Latin American giant and whose champion is awarded the first place in the country in the Copa Libertadores next year.
Flamengo qualified by eliminating Athletico Paranaense in the quarterfinals, Corinthians did so by leaving Atlético Goianiense and Fluminense behind, Fortaleza.
The fourth semi-finalist will be defined on Thursday in the quarterfinal second leg between América Mineiro and Sao Paulo, in a duel in which the São Paulo tricolor has the advantage after winning 1-0 in the first leg at home. In the semifinals, Corinthians will face Fluminense and Flamengo in fourth place.
The youthful Pedro gave Flamengo the victory with a great goal in the 56th minute that allowed the most popular club in Brazil to win 0-1 on their visit to the difficult state of the Arena de la Baixada. The Rio de Janeiro club had conceded a goalless draw at home and needed a win by any score to advance.
Corinthians, who had lost 2-0 in the first leg, won 4-1 at home this Wednesday with a hat-trick from Yuri Alberto and a goal from Gil, while Goiainense discounted through Wellington Rato. The comeback was epic for Corinthians and saved the skin of Portuguese coach Víctor Pereira who had been in trouble after being eliminated from the Libertadores.
In the third game of the day, a pass from Colombian John Arias allowed Argentine striker Germán Cano to score the goal that allowed Fluminense to tie 2-2 and qualify for the semifinals despite having started the dispute at a disadvantage.
With a Maracanã to burst, the main gunner of the Rio de Janeiro tricolor woke up from his lethargy in the supplementary and brought back to life the ‘Flu’ who had been dying in the first half after the goal against Nino and the extension he achieved for Fortaleza the Argentine Silvio Romero. After winning the first leg 0-1, Fernando Dinis’ men only needed a draw to advance to the semi-finals.
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