Corinthians in the Finals of Copa do Brasil!

By: Bruno Romani | May 29th, 2008

So what was supposed to be a crappy year is turning into a good one. Last night Corinthians and Botafogo played the second-leg of Copa do Brasil’s semifinals. As usual, Botafogo failed again in an important moment and Corinthians will play for the title and a spot in next year’s Libertadores.

The first-half started with Botafogo defending really well, blocking all actions by the locals. The second-half coach Mano Menezes, who was sent-off by the ref with no explanation, put Acosta. 10 minutes later, after a great play by Herrera, the Uruguayan opened the score board. Fans, however, had no time to celebrate. One minute later, Felipe failed to clear a ball from a corner-kick and Renato Silva tied. The match lost some energy, but Corinthians was more dangerous.

In the 19th mark, Chicão took a free-kick and put the locals ahead of the game one more time. The match continued with both clubs afraid of taking major risks and the final score repeated the 2-1 from last week.

The spot in the finals were going to be decided in the shoot outs.

And everybody got their shots rights. The clubs were very equal even in the penalties. But something was reserved for Felipe, the only man to be praised by the fans in last year’s relegation. Zé Carlos took the final penalty for Bota, and Felipe denied it! Corinthians will play its last two matches against a club from série A for the prize that all of them will be fighting for all year long: a spot in the Libertadores.

For Botafogo, all that was left was the taste of failing again, and coach Cuca is expected to leave the club and join Santos.

The penalties

ps: more on Copa do Brasil and Libertadores later