Cruzeiro wins Copa do Brasil, qualifies to 2018 Libertadores

CAIRO – 28 September 2017: Cruzeiro won on Wednesday the title of the “Copa do Brasil,” the second most important tournament in the country and automatically guaranteed to be in the Libertadores Cup 2018 by beating Flamengo in the penalty shootout (5-3) after the goalless draw in the return leg of the final.

In the first leg, held three weeks ago in the Maracaná stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Cruzeiro reaped a valuable 1-1 draw as a visitor, which left them in the favorite position to secure the title at home, the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte.

The conquest allowed the Cruzeiro to add the fifth title of the Brazil Cup and equalize Gremio with the same titles. Flamengo, who was the champion for the last time in 2013, was looking for its fourth title.

The result is the first defeat in a final for the Colombian Reinaldo Rueda as coach of Flamengo.

Cruzeiro guaranteed the first berth of a Brazilian club in the 2018 Libertadores, as the other four who qualify directly for the competition, depend on the positions of the Brazilian Championship, in which there are still several days left.