All square! Flamengo draw with Cruzeiro, place to be settled at home | OneFootball

In a heavily studied match, Flamengo and Cruzeiro drew 1-1 at Mineirão

The decider will be at the Maracanã. In the first leg of the Copa Libertadores round of 16, Cruzeiro and Flamengo drew 1-1 at Mineirão this Wednesday (12). Now, the team that advances will be decided next week in Rio de Janeiro. In the first meeting, Arroyo opened the scoring for the home side, and Lucas Paquetá leveled it.

It is worth noting that Flamengo’s night could have been even easier in the first half, when the referee failed to send off Matheus Henrique, who made a horrific challenge on Bruno Henrique. In addition, Mengo also complained a lot about a challenge by Rojas on Plata.

HOW WAS THE FIRST HALF?

Cruzeiro started better and missed an unbelievable chance in the sixth minute. After a cross from the right, Wesley got free behind Emerson Royal and, practically inside the goal, tried to finish with his chest but sent it over. 

Shortly afterward, the officiating robbed Flamengo. Matheus Henrique made a textbook red-card challenge, with the studs in the middle of Bruno Henrique’s shin, but was shown only a yellow, sparking outrage among Flamengo fans. The midfielder was also one booking away from suspension and will miss the return leg at the Maracanã.

The incident woke Flamengo up in the match. In the 20th minute, Samuel Lino fired from outside the box, forcing Otávio to push it out for a corner. Cruzeiro responded in the 32nd minute after a mistake by Jorginho while playing out from the back, and Arroyo shot just wide of goalkeeper Rossi’s post. 

At 35 minutes came Flamengo’s best chance up to that point. Matheus Henrique made a mistake in midfield, and Arrascaeta won the ball. However, the Uruguayan’s pass was not good for Bruno Henrique, who was calling for it unmarked.  Even so, the No. 27 hit it hard, but the ball went over. A balanced and very cautious first half at Mineirão.

HOW WAS THE SECOND HALF?

Just like in the first half, Cruzeiro started the second better. But this time, the home side managed to open the scoring. In the seventh minute, Arroyo received the ball from William on the right wing, left Samuel Lino on the ground and, from a tight angle, struck with no chance for Rossi, who did not even move. The Minas Gerais side led 1-0.

After conceding, Flamengo started attacking more. Right afterward, Jorginho and Ayrton Lucas, with shots from outside the box, forced goalkeeper Otávio into saves. Needing more attacking power, Leonardo Jardim sent Lucas Paquetá and Pedro into the game in place of Bruno Henrique and Arrascaeta. 

The pair who came on delivered the equalizer immediately. Pedro was fouled by Fabrício Bruno. From the free kick, Ayrton Lucas crossed into the box, Léo Ortiz headed it onto the post. On the rebound, Lucas Paquetá smashed it into the net and went off dancing in the 21st minute. Level at Mineirão: 1-1 and the Nation celebrated!

After the goal, Cruzeiro felt it badly. The crowd, which had packed Mineirão, went quiet. On the other hand, Flamengo missed the chance to ‘knock out’ the opponent and began managing the game, moving the ball slowly and avoiding exposure. So the final score was a draw, and the decision was pushed to next week.

WHEN IS FLAMENGO’S NEXT MATCH?

In short, Flamengo return to the field next Sunday (16) against Mirassol at Estádio Maião, in the interior of São Paulo. The match is valid for the 23rd round of the Brasileirão and kicks off at 6:30 p.m. (Brasília time). The return leg against Cruzeiro will be on Wednesday (19), at the Maracanã.

MATCH DETAILSCRUZEIRO 1-1 FLAMENGOCompetition: Copa Libertadores da América, round of 16 (first leg)Venue: Mineirão Stadium, Belo Horizonte, Minas GeraisDate: August 12, 2026, WednesdayGoals: Arroyo 7’/2nd half, Lucas Paquetá 21’/2nd half

Cruzeiro: Otávio, William, Fabrício Bruno, Jonathan Jesus and Rojas; Matheus Henrique, Gerson and Matheus Pereira; Wesley, Arroyo and Kaio Jorge. Coach: Artur Jorge.

Flamengo: Agustín Rossi, Emerson Royal, Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira and Ayrton Lucas; Erick Pulgar, Jorginho and Arrascaeta; Samuel Lino, Gonzalo Plata and Bruno Henrique. Coach: Leonardo Jardim.

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