After days of uncertainty and controversy regarding broadcasting rights for the game, the crucial fixture eventually got the all clear to be played.
The clash eventually went on to play as one with few chances.
Gilberto scored early in the first half for Fluminense while Pedro leveled the scoring with a brilliant strike for Flamengo in the second half. The game ended that way and had to be decided via penalties.
In the penalty shootout, Nenê, Hudson and Pacheco were all pin-point for Fluminense, while Dodi and Michel Araújo wasted their spot-kicks. For the Rubro-Negro, only Gabigol and Pedro converted. Léo Pereira played wide and brilliant saves from Muriel kept Willian Arão and Rafinha at bay.
Flamengo boss Jorge Jesus congratulated the Tricolor for their victory after the game.
“It’s not a lottery. It was not luck that Fluminense won. When you win on penalties, it is because you were competent, you were better than us on penalties. Fluminense played for this, not to lose, not to lose for much. In the penalties, that was what it could do, and it did, which was better. And congratulations”
With Fluminense lifting the Rio Cup, the title of the 2020 Carioca Championship will have to be decided in two final games considering Flamengo had already won the Guanabara Cup. The first game will be on Sunday, the 12th, at 4pm while the return match will take place on Wednesday, the 15th, at 9:30 pm. Each team will be the principal in one of the final matches.
