By Nelson Belen, Contributing Reporter

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - A sold-out Maracanã Stadium was the site of the first leg of the 2017 Copa do Brasil finals on Thursday, September 7th, as Flamengo and Cruzeiro battled to a 1-1 draw.

Both clubs scratched and clawed their way through the tournament semi-finals with Flamengo squeaking by cross-town rivals Botafogo, winning 1-0 in the second match, and Cruzeiro getting past defending Copa . . .

To read the full NEWS and much more, Subscribe to our Premium Membership Plan. Already Subscribed? Login Here