Years on, Everson still can't accept Arrascaeta's Copa do Brasil goal | OneFootball

Atlético-MG goalkeeper says the ball did not fully cross the line, but audio released by the CBF shows what the VAR ‘saw’

Atlético-MG goalkeeper Everson has once again challenged Arrascaeta’s goal that sent Flamengo through to the round of 16 of the 2022 Copa do Brasil. In an interview with Charla Podcast, which gained attention on Saturday (03), the keeper said the ball did not completely cross the line.

The play happened at the Maracanã on July 13, 2022. On that occasion, Flamengo won 2-0 and overturned the defeat suffered in Belo Horizonte. According to Everson, the assistant referee awarded the goal, and the video officials found no image capable of overturning the decision.

“The linesman behind me gives the goal. The play goes to VAR and Wilton says, ‘We don’t have conclusive images and the on-field decision stands.’ For me, as a goalkeeper, that ball did not fully cross the line,” said the goalkeeper.

The Wilton mentioned by Everson is Wilton Pereira Sampaio, who was the on-field referee. The VAR booth, in turn, was under the command of Pablo Ramon Gonçalves Pinheiro, from Rio Grande do Norte, according to the match report for Flamengo 2-0 Atlético-MG published by Lance!.

What the VAR audio revealed in 2022

Everson’s complaint is not new. Right after the elimination, Atlético’s board decided to demand the VAR audio from the CBF for Flamengo’s second goal. The club wanted to understand how the refereeing team confirmed the play.

After that, on July 18, 2022, the CBF Refereeing Commission released the recordings. In the exchange about the second goal, the video referee admitted he did not have a clear angle of the play:

“Wilton, this is Pablo speaking. I don’t have a clear image, stick with the on-field decision, ok?” said the VAR official. Then Wilton asked: “Goal, right?” Pablo replied: “Goal!”

Therefore, the recording supports the core of Everson’s account. The booth did not find conclusive footage and, for that reason, upheld the assistant referee’s call. However, the audio shows that the phrase came from Pablo Ramon, not Wilton.

Arrascaeta’s first goal was also reviewed that night. In that case, the VAR determined there had only been a battle for position, with no foul, and confirmed the play.

How the play unfolded at the Maracanã

Flamengo took the field needing to overturn Atlético-MG’s 2-1 win at Mineirão. So the team coached at the time by Dorival Júnior pressed from the start in front of 68,747 fans.

Arrascaeta opened the scoring for Flamengo in the 45th minute of the first half after a pass from Pedro. Then, in the 18th minute of the second half, Everton Ribeiro took a free kick, and the Uruguayan finished with a diving header.

According to Lance!’s report, the ball struck the post and Everson before the refereeing team confirmed the goal. Later, Junior Alonso received his second yellow card and left Atlético-MG with one player fewer.

With the result, Flamengo advanced 3-2 on aggregate. Later, the club won that edition of the Copa do Brasil against Corinthians on penalties. In addition, Arrascaeta was voted the best player of the tournament.

Everson and Flamengo: rivalry in knockout matches

Everson has played for Atlético-MG since September 2020 and remains at the club in 2026. Since then, the goalkeeper has faced Flamengo in different national-decider matchups.

In 2024, the Rubro-Negro beat Atlético-MG in the Copa do Brasil final. The following year, however, the Minas Gerais club returned the favor by knocking Flamengo out in the round of 16 of the same tournament at Arena MRV.

In that penalty shootout, on August 6, 2025, Everson saved one attempt and converted the kick that sealed qualification. Right afterward, the goalkeeper waved a “bye” to the Rubro-Negro fans in attendance at the stadium.

Now, four years after the play at the Maracanã, his comments on the podcast reignite one of the most discussed episodes in the recent history of the rivalry between the two clubs.

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