Léo Pereira explains last-minute penalty change for Flamengo | OneFootball

Léo Pereira hit in the middle of the goal against PSG (FRA)

In the quarterfinals of the Libertadores, Léo Pereira took the penalty to the goalkeeper's left corner, into the top corner, against Estudiantes (ARG). This Wednesday (17), in the World Cup final against PSG (FRA), the defender changed his strategy, taking the shot in the middle. However, the French team's goalkeeper stood still and saved it. The number 4 explained the reason for the different shot.

— Actually, it's each one's choice. I had an idea before the shot. I ended up changing it due to factors I noticed about their goalkeeper. He jumped three times to the right side, so I decided to shoot in the middle. That was my perspective at the time — explained Léo Pereira.

WHO ELSE MISSED A PENALTY?

Out of the nine penalties taken after extra time, only three were goals: Vitinha and Nuno Mendes for PSG, and De La Cruz for Flamengo. On the red-black side, Léo Pereira, Pedro, Saúl, and Luiz Araújo were stopped by Safonov. Additionally, Dembélé shot over for the French, and Rossi saved Barcola's shot.

HOW WAS THE GAME?

Flamengo fell behind on the scoreboard with a goal from Kvaratskhelia in the first half. Until then, PSG completely dominated the match. However, in the second half, the Red-Black balanced the game and managed to equalize with Jorginho from a penalty.

The match went into extra time, and Flamengo felt the accumulated fatigue of the season. With grit, the Most Beloved held off the pressure and managed to take it to penalties. However, the Brazilian team was not successful in the shots and ended up defeated in the World Cup final.

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