Opinion – Juca Kfouri: Palmeiras was better than Flamengo in the final decided in detail

The anti-fascist Palmeirense fan has two reasons to be very happy: he celebrates the three-time Libertadores championship, the consecutive bi-championship, unprecedented in the 21st century (Boca Juniors, which was the last bi in 2000/2001, in the 2000s, but not in the century 21), and got rid of the demagoguery of the genocide who, on Friday (26), in Vila Militar, in Rio, vomited: “Tomorrow we are all Flamengo”.

It’s no small thing. In fact, it’s a lot.

To celebrate the biggest title on the continent without having to share the joy with those who are more fake than 3 reais bills.

And celebrate a truly epic achievement, after beating Atlético Mineiro and Flamengo.

With tactical discipline, with physical imposition, with a heart for 120 agonizing minutes, with the best goalkeeper in Brazil and with detail, the imponderable in his favor.

The gods of the ball at the Estádio Centenário wanted to reward Mayke, the replacement for the suspended Marcos Rocha, with the perfect pass for Raphael Veiga to open the scoreboard in the sixth minute in Montevideo.

The opponent felt and found himself facing a team that went to Uruguay for work, not for pleasure, as it seemed in the first half of the red-black team.

Abel Ferreira had the courage to cast Gustavo Scarpa and Raphael Veiga, in what most did not bet on and neighbor PVC did.

Then, as was predictable, he ran the risk of letting the Cariocas predominate in the second half until Gabigol tied and gave the impression that, as in 2019, against River Plate, Flamengo would become the new member of the closed triple champion clubs continental Brazilians.

But it was written that the 10th clash between Palmeirenses and Flamengo, the most important of them, would end with the end of the rubro-negro invincibility writing.​

The season-ending overtime was superhuman.

Then, the detail, the unforeseen, the accident, gave the air of its grace with Andreas Pereira’s hesitation, to make Deyverson the unlikely hero, like Breno Lopes against Santos in the 2020 decision.

Even at the beginning of the first period of overtime, the game was over, the decision was inscribed in gold letters on another plaque, the third, in the continental Holy Grail: Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras – 2021 -, alongside Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras – 2020 -.

In a game without arbitration interference, with the VAR happily silent, there is no possible dispute about the superiority of São Paulo.

Palmeira’s concentration since the opening whistle did not allow for any serious error other than Piquerez’s at the beginning of the final, which forced Weverton to leave at Arrascaeta’s feet, by the way, with great performance.

Among so many heroes from Alviverdes, it is impossible not to mention the boy from Bahia, Danilo, who is only 20 years old. As if it were an Obdulio Varela, homage to the black captain of Celeste Olímpica in the 1950 World Cup, his performance was impressive until he couldn’t take it anymore and had to leave exhausted and with cramps.

Head upright like a periscope, loyal tackles always on the ball, veteran personality, true Black Admiral, like João Cândido, on the banks of the Prata river.

Cease all that the ancient Muse sings, Let another higher value rise.

What was left behind was left behind.

The time will be to celebrate and think about the Club World Cup, probably only in February of next year.

Chelsea are the next favorite to be beaten.