Atlético Mineiro was proclaimed Brazilian super champion in the most dramatic way, in a penalty shootout that goes down in history. There was a tie (2-2) between Galo and Flamengo in the 90 minutes of play. It was a spectacular match, with alternatives, between two offensive-minded teams. The best, however, came in the maximum penalties. Up to 24 shots had to be executed, involving the 22 players who were on the field of play.
ATM
FLA
Atletico Mineiro
Everson, Mariano, Godín, Nathan Silva, Guilherme Arana, Allan (Guga, 94′), Jair, Nacho Fernández, Savarino (Ademir, 75′), Keno (Eduardo Vargas, 75′) and Hulk.
flamingo
Hugo Souza, Rodinei (Matheuzinho, 81′), Fabricio Bruno, David Luiz, Filipe (Leo Pereira, 81′), Luis, Willian Arao, Joao Gomes, De Arrascaeta (Vitinho, 81′), Everton Ribeiro (Lázaro, 62′ ), Bruno Henrique (Diego, 72′) and Gabigol.
Referee
Anderson Daronco. TA Mariano (45′), Jair (54′) / Gabigol (56′), Joao Gomes (79′), David Luiz (92′)
goals
1-0, Nacho Fernandez, min 41; 1-1, Gabigol, min. 55; 1-2, Bruno Henrique, min 63; 2-2, Hulk, min 76.
penalties
1-0 Hulk (goal); 1-1 Lazarus (goal); 2-1 Nacho Fernandez (goal); 2-2 Vitinho (goal); 3-2 Ademir (goal); 3-3 Diego (goal); 4-3 Guilherme Arana (goal); 4-4 David Luiz (goal); 5-4 Eduardo Vargas (goal); 5-5 Gabigol (goal); 5-5 Guga (Hugo saves); 5-5 Willian Arao (Everson saves); 6-5 Jair (goal); 6-6 Joao Gomes (goal); 6-6 Everson (out); 6-6 Matheuzinho (Everson saves); 7-6 Nathan Silva (goal); 7-7 Leo Pereira (goal); 7-7 Mariano (Hugo saves); 7-7 Fabrizio Bruno (out); 7-7 Godin (out); 7- 7 Hugo Souza (to the crossbar); 8-7 Hulk (goal); 8-7 Vitinho (Everson saves).
Incidents
Final played at the Pantanal Arena (Cuiabá). 30,000 spectators.
And, in the first replay round, Hulk scored his and Vitinho (it is inexplicable that Gabigol didn’t shoot it) missed his. Everson saved it and his third stop in the shootout tipped the balance 8-7. The blow was very hard for Flamengo, since they had up to four chances to sentence the title, but Willian Arao, Matheuzinho, Fabricio Bruno and goalkeeper Hugo Souza missed their shots. Turkish Mohamed begins his stage in Belo Horizonte with a national title… the pressure is on another debutant coach, Paulo Sousa, at Flamengo.
A FIRST PART OF SCORING
The Galo went out to intimidate. With the right attitude, he advanced lanes, but his approach failed (temporarily): he was too lacking in the circulation of passes and therefore did not transform his dominance into opportunities.
Mengao interpreted the game better, mainly in the construction of offensive actions, and had two very clear chances to break the final. First, with a superb header from the central Fabrizio Bruno (incorporated this season from Red Bull Bragantino), in the 19th minute. And, later, in a bad finish, in a cross shot from Gabigol, in the 27th minute, after a very good play driving Joao Gomes.
Paulo Sousa’s team won on points… until the blow of those from Belo Horizonte arrived. Guilherme Arana a left-footed shot was taken from outside the area, goalkeeper Hugo Souza, who has regained ownership with the arrival of the Portuguese coach, rejected as best he could. And Nacho Fernández, very clever, got ahead of David Luiz and spectacularly finished off with the outside of his foot. The 1-0 reached the edge of the break. A new scenario opened.
THE MENGAO REACTED
Flamengo had to offer something else. He dressed as a champion team and faced the second half with a lot of ambition and conviction that he could turn the game around. The reddish-black ‘sacred cows’ woke up.De Arrascaeta finally took hold of the handle. From his boots emerged the two actions of Mengao’s comeback: he assisted for Bruno Henrique and the rebound of his header caught him, well placed, Gabigol. 1-1 in the 55th minute.
The cariocas were unleashed. in a counter, By Arrascaeta worked for the young Lazarus (under-17 world champion in 2019 with the bayb Seleçao), who gave a luxury assist for Bruno Henrique, taking advantage of a mistake by Godín in a clearance attempt, made it 1-2.
Now yes, the final was an offensive game. Mohammed the Turk he knew how to play the key, he brought in Eduardo Vargas, who had a very good season in 2021, and Ademir (Signed from América Mineiro to replace Diego Costa).
The Hulk was missing , gunner of the year last season, and who played, until then, a supporting actor role. Vargas assisted him and the ‘9’ did not forgive inside the area with a very powerful shot. 2-2
The final broke. And the last quarter of an hour was lived in a constant back and forth, with two teams that launched themselves unapologetically for victory. Nobody scored, and the champion was decided on penalties, in an incredible series with 24 shots and nine misses between the two teams.
