Atlético draw Juventude in Copa do Brasil last 16; decider in Caxias | OneFootball

Atlético’s path in the 2026 Copa do Brasil has been defined. In a draw held this Tuesday (26) at the headquarters of the Brazilian Football Confederation in Rio de Janeiro, Galo learned its opponent in the round of 16: Juventude.

After the matchups were set, a new draw determined the home venues. Atlético will play the first match at Arena MRV and will decide the place in the quarterfinals in Caxias do Sul, at Alfredo Jaconi Stadium. The base dates for the ties are August 2 for the first leg and August 8 for the second leg, after the break for the World Cup.

The bracket through to the final has not yet been defined. The CBF will hold another draw in the quarterfinals to establish the next matchups and the road to the final, which in this edition will be played as a single match.

Road to the round of 16

Atlético began its Copa do Brasil campaign in the fifth round and had to overcome Ceará to advance to the round of 16. In the first meeting, Atlético won 2-1 at Arena MRV. In the return match at Castelão, Ceará won by the same score, taking the decision to penalties.

Once again, goalkeeper Everson was decisive. In addition to saving two spot-kicks, the No. 22 also converted Atlético’s fifth penalty, securing Galo’s qualification.

Juventude, meanwhile, began its campaign in the second round of the competition. To reach the round of 16, the team from Rio Grande do Sul eliminated Guaporé, Tuna Luso, Águia de Marabá and pulled off a surprise by knocking out São Paulo. After losing 1-0 at Morumbis, the team won 3-1 at Alfredo Jaconi and secured its place.

Favorable history for Galo

Atlético and Juventude have met only once in Copa do Brasil history, in a knockout tie that remains memorable for Atlético’s supporters. The clash took place in the quarterfinals of the 2016 edition.

On that occasion, Galo won the first match in Belo Horizonte 1-0, with a goal from Lucas Pratto. In the return leg in Caxias do Sul, Juventude leveled the aggregate score and took the decision to penalties.

In the shootout, former goalkeeper Victor shone with important saves and helped Atlético secure qualification for the semifinals of that edition of the Copa do Brasil.

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