Discover How a Whistle Sealed Internacional’s 2020 Title Fate!
The finale of the 2020 Brasileiro, which played out in early 2021 due to the pandemic’s grip, was as thrilling as it was contentious. Flamengo, who ultimately clinched the championship, only seized the lead in the dying minutes of the season after overcoming the struggling Internacional at the Maracanã, a match marred by a red card that still sparks debate today. The incident was pivotal; Rodinei stamped on Filipe Luis's ankle and was sent off at a crucial moment when the score was tied at 1-1, culminating in a 2-1 victory for Flamengo. The ramifications of this decision continue to fuel discussions, particularly in light of Abel Braga’s comments on the "Charla Podcast," where he asserted that the trophy was "taken by the whistle." Braga, the seasoned 72-year-old manager now without a club since leaving Vasco in 2023, further scrutinized a couple of contentious instances from the same matchday against Corinthians. His complaints included a claimed penalty for a handball by Ramiro and an overturned goal due to an alleged foul on Cláudio. "2020 was taken by the whistle, mate. Forget about it. There was the Rodinei incident in Maracanã, and then against Corinthians. The guy gives the penalty and checks VAR. But three games earlier, against Grêmio, it was a different story for Flamengo – no VAR there either," he lamented. Reflecting on the Rodinei incident, Braga highlighted that Filipe Luis, the victim, reportedly asked referee Raphael Claus not to expel the offending player and praised the now-coach of Flamengo, suggesting, "That match was finely balanced at 1-1 when we went ahead through Edenilson, and they equalised. It was a grand contest, well-managed. What counts is what Filipe Luis said post-game – it should've been a yellow. That bloke deserves nothing but good fortune. Some may wish to question the unquestionable." The climactic clash that gifted Flamengo the trophy saw them triumph over Internacional on matchday 37, but they faltered against São Paulo at Morumbi, losing 2-1. Fortunately for Rogério Ceni’s squad, the Corinthians maintained a 0-0 stalemate with Internacional at Beira-Rio, paving the way for a historic title victory for the Flamengo faithful. Final standings for the 2020 Brasileiro: Flamengo – 71 points Internacional – 70 points Atlético Mineiro – 68 points São Paulo – 66 points