All square! Flamengo salvage draw at Mineirão, Libertadores spot at home | OneFootball

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

The decision 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 situation could have been even easier in the first half, when the referee failed to send off Matheus Henrique, who made a brutal tackle 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 incredible chance in the sixth minute. After a cross from the right, Wesley got free behind Emerson Royal and, practically on the goal line, tried to finish with his chest, but sent it over.

Shortly afterward, the refereeing robbed Flamengo. Matheus Henrique made a textbook red-card challenge, with the studs of his boot right into the middle of Bruno Henrique’s shin, but received only a yellow, sparking outrage among the red-and-black 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 shot from outside the box, forcing Otávio to push it out for a corner. Cruzeiro responded in the 32nd minute after an error by Jorginho while playing out from the back, and Arroyo struck it 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 with space. Even so, the No. 27 hit it hard, but the ball went over. It was an even and highly studied first half at Mineirão.

HOW WAS THE SECOND HALF?

Just like in the first half, Cruzeiro started better in the second. But this time, the home team managed to open the scoring. In the seventh minute, Arroyo received the ball from William on the right wing, sent Samuel Lino to the ground and, from a tight angle, fired it in with no chance for Rossi, who did not even move. Minas Gerais side ahead, 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 threat, Leonardo Jardim sent Lucas Paquetá and Pedro into the game in place of Bruno Henrique and Arrascaeta.

The duo who came on immediately got the equalizer. Pedro was fouled by Fabrício Bruno. From the set piece, Ayrton Lucas crossed into the box, Léo Ortiz headed it off the post. On the rebound, Lucas Paquetá blasted it into the net and went off dancing in the 21st minute. Draw at Mineirão: 1-1 and celebrations from the Nation!

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 started 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 state. 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.