CURITIBA, Brazil (AP) Flamengo held Atletico Paranaense to a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the Brazilian Cup final on Wednesday.
Brazil's most popular club, Flamengo can clinch the title with a win or a scoreless draw next week in front of its fans at the Maracana Stadium.
Forward Marcelo put Atletico Paranaense ahead with a booming right-footed shot into the right-upper corner of the net in the 19th minute, before Flamengo equalized with midfielder's Amaral firm shot from outside the area in the 31st.
Flamengo is trying to win the Brazilian Cup for the third time, while Atletico Paranaense is yet to win the competition, Brazil's second most important after the Brazilian league.
The winner will earn a spot at next year's Copa Libertadores, Latin America's top club competition.
