Flamengo slip up, gift Atlético-MG lead in Copa do Brasil last 16 | OneFootball

Léo Pereira failed miserably in the ball exit, and Flamengo lost to Atlético-MG

Atlético-MG went to Maracanã to play for a ball. And Flamengo gave them that chance. With a serious mistake by Léo Pereira in the second half, the Minas Gerais team won 1-0 and took the lead in the round of 16 of the Copa do Brasil. Cuello was responsible for the goal of the match. The duel this Thursday (31) took place in Rio de Janeiro, and the return will be on Wednesday (06), at Arena MRV, with Mengão having to win by two goals difference.

HOW WAS THE FIRST HALF?

The game started balanced: Flamengo with control, trying to attack. And Atlético exploring errors rubro-negros. Hulk had two good chances before the five minutes, but made mistakes in the hour of truth, including a shot inside the area. Already Mengão arrived well with Léo Ortiz and Viña.

Later, the duel got cold, without emotion, with the two teams defending very well, with a scenario similar to Sunday (27), when the teams faced each other in the Brasileirão. However, the Nation raised the tone at 30 minutes, with a strong left-footed shot by Evertton Araújo, which exploded on the crossbar, making the Flamengo crowd shout “UUUHHH“. On the rebound, Pedro finished with strength for Everson's defense.

Flamengo managed to make a new good play at 41 minutes. In a beautiful exchange between Pedro and Plata, the Ecuadorian was face to face with Everson, but had to hit with the 'wrong foot', the right one, and the ball ended up coming out weak, for the opposing goalkeeper's defense.

Atlético-MG, who only had the long ball as a play, managed to get one right: at 45 minutes, Lyanco found Hulk well, but the number 7 tried and missed a pass to Cuello, who shot into the net from the outside. First half of 58% possession of the ball from Rubro-Negro, however, owed emotion in the match.

HOW WAS THE SECOND HALF?

Just like the first half, the second half started without emotions. In this way, Filipe Luís called Samuel Lino, Wallace Yan, and Ayrton Lucas. The trio entered the places of Luiz Araújo, Matheus Gonçalves, and Viña, at 12 minutes of the second half of the match played at Maracanã.

Atlético only waited for Flamengo's mistake, and thus managed to take the zero off the scoreboard. Rubro-Negro tried to leave with touches inside the area, Léo Pereira delivered, and Cuello did not waste the gift at 20 minutes of the second half. Party of the visiting team at Maracanã.

Besides Samuel Lino, who also debuted with the Flamengo shirt were Emerson Royal, who entered the place of Guillermo Varela, and Saúl, in the place of Gonzalo Plata. The side even hit the crossbar at 36 minutes, but was little called. Already Lino almost scored a great goal at 38′. However, Atlético managed to survive, even having a scare in the additions, with Samu marking offside.

WHEN WILL BE THE NEXT FLAMENGO GAME?

The return game between Flamengo and Atlético-MG will be next Wednesday (06), at Arena MRV, in Belo Horizonte. The ball rolls from 19h (Brasília time). Before, however, Mengão enters the field for the Brasileirão, against Ceará, at Castelão, on Sunday (03). The match is scheduled for 18h30 (Brasília time).

TECHNICAL FILE FLAMENGO 0X1 ATLÉTICO-MG Competition: Copa do Brasil, round of 16 match Location: Maracanã Stadium Date: July 31, 2025, Thursday Goals: Cuello 20’/2º

LINE-UPS

Flamengo: Rossi, Varela, Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira, and Viña; Allan, Evertton Araújo, and Matheus Gonçalves; Luiz Araújo, Plata, and Pedro. Coach: Filipe Luís.

Atlético-MG: Everson; Saravia, Lyanco, and Alonso; Gabriel Menino, Alan Franco, Igor Gomes, and Scarpa; Rony, Hulk, and Cuello. Coach: Cuca.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.