In a clash of red-and-black teams, Flamengo ends in a draw.

RJ24Hours - In the first leg of the Copa do Brasil final, played at the Durval de Britto Stadium in Curitiba on Wednesday night (20), Flamengo started losing to Atlético-PR, but with a beautiful goal by Amaral, the Cariocas tied 1-1 and now have an advantage in the last and decisive match, at the Maracanã, on the 27th. Rubro-Negro could be champion with a goalless draw.

Even before the match, the players felt the support of the fans firsthand. The team got off the bus about 100 meters before the entrance and walked to the gates among the Flamengo supporters present. The novelty in the starting lineup was the return of goalkeeper Felipe, who recovered in time from a knee injury.

Flamengo started by taking the initiative in the game; Atlético couldn't penetrate our penalty area, and the first time Flamengo's goalkeeper Felipe touched the ball was in the 14th minute of the first half. Despite Flamengo's dominance, Atlético scored the first goal. In the 20th minute, striker Marcelo hit Felipe's goal with a powerful shot from outside the area, opening the scoring for the red-and-black team from the South. The game continued nervously, with both teams making many passing errors.

The stadium's pitch wasn't in the best condition, causing a setback for the Flamengo team. At 26 minutes, André Santos was injured after stepping in a hole in the field and was replaced by fellow left-back João Paulo. At 30 minutes, a reward for the Flamengo fans who accompanied the team to Curitiba. With a spectacular shot from midfielder Amaral, also from outside the area, the beloved team achieved the equalizer. It was the first goal for the number 40 in the Sacred Mantle. In celebration, he imitated a pitbull, a tribute to the nickname given by the fans. The Flamengo anthem echoed in the stadium, sung at the top of their lungs by the Nation.

Atlético threatened Felipe's goal twice. Another injury in the first half forced Jayme de Almeida to make another substitution. Chicão felt a twinge in his thigh at the 40-minute mark and was replaced by the youngster Samir.

The second half was more eventful, with dangerous plays in quick succession from both sides of the field. Both teams came out more organized in search of a goal, and the game became a back-and-forth affair. Two minutes in, Atlético's defender Luis Alberto headed dangerously, but goalkeeper Felipe made a good save. Brocador responded in the following minute. Hernane attempted a good shot from medium range, but Weverton prevented the goal. At nine minutes, Flamengo's top scorer almost scored again. Léo Moura went to the byline and found Hernane at the penalty spot. The number 9 tried a shot, but the ball hit his heel.

Two minutes later, it was Athletico Paranaense's turn to create danger. Marcelo outran Wallace and came very close to Felipe's goal, who parried the ball, allowing the Flamengo defense to clear it away. At 19 minutes, a beautiful play by Luiz Antonio against the Athletico defenders. The young midfielder dribbled past several defenders on the right, passed Manoel, nutmegged Zezinho and unleashed a powerful shot, but the ball went over the crossbar. Five minutes later, Paulinho worked the ball well, crossed to Léo Moura, who, unmarked, missed the finish. Flamengo continued to play very well offensively. In a beautiful play by Elias to Paulinho, the striker was pulled down and fouled at the edge of the opponent's penalty area. Luiz Antonio took a placed shot, with no reaction from goalkeeper Weverton, but the ball went just wide of the post. At 30 minutes, a great save by Felipe. In a strong shot from Everton, the goalkeeper made a diving save and prevented an Athletico goal.

Jayme's last substitution was in the 39th minute. Midfielder Carlos Eduardo came off and defensive midfielder Diego Silva came on. Right after the restart, full-back João Paulo received the ball on the left and, unmarked, took a shot with spin. The ball curved and almost went into the top corner of Weverton's goal. Near the end of the match, tempers flared among the players. Wallace and Everton exchanged shoves, but referee Paulo César Oliveira managed to control the situation with just a verbal warning.

After three minutes of added time, the game ended in a 1-1 draw. The draw with an away goal, an important tiebreaker, pleased the Flamengo fans present at the stadium, who were singing. Goalkeeper Felipe reminded everyone that the small advantage cannot distract the team from winning at home.

"It represents a small advantage, a simple one. It's still an advantage. We can't depend on this little advantage. We knew it would be difficult to play here, to score an away goal. For me, it's exciting to be here, to be able to play today. I myself didn't believe I would play. During the week, the coaching staff saw that I was fit and put me in to play. Now it's about working to beat Corinthians on Sunday to avoid relegation. Next Wednesday, with 70 in the Maracanã, we have to win this title to reward this fanbase," declared the goalkeeper.