Author: Vishwajit Sawant
Flamengo stumble and Gabigol misses penalty in draw with Cruzeiro
In an intense match at the Maracanã in the eighth round of the Brazilian Championship, Flamengo and Cruzeiro played out a 1-1 draw. The match got off to an exciting start, with Cruzeiro opening the scoring with a goal from Marlon in the sixth minute. Flamengo had the chance to equalize soon after when they were awarded a penalty, but Gabigol’s shot hit the crossbar, marking his sixth missed penalty for the team.
Flamengo finally got the breakthrough in the 32nd minute, when Wesley’s well-placed cross deflected off Gabigol and found Ayrton Lucas, who equalized the game. Both teams continued to create chances throughout the match, with Cruzeiro coming close to regaining the lead with a header from Gilberto, but goalkeeper Matheus Cunha made several crucial saves to keep Flamengo in the game.
In the second half, there were fewer chances as the match became more physical and hard-fought. Despite the efforts of both teams, neither managed to score the winning goal, resulting in a shared point. Flamengo and Cruzeiro remain tied on 13 points in the standings, missing the chance to close the gap on the leaders.
Grêmio beat Athletico with an incredible goal from Vitor Roque
In a thrilling game at the Arena da Baixada, Grêmio beat Athletico-PR 2-1 in the eighth round of the Brasileirão. Both teams showed their attacking skills, but it was Gremio who made the most of their chances to secure the three points.
The first half was marked by an intense battle, with chances for both teams. Grêmio opened the scoring in the 30th minute when Cuiabano scored his first goal of the season. However, Athletico responded quickly, just three minutes later, with the impressive Vitor Roque, who showed his skill and precision to level the score at 1-1.
The second half went in Gremio’s favor, and they wasted no time in asserting their dominance. Three minutes into the second half, Bruno Uvini rose higher than the defense and, after a corner kick from Reinaldo, headed in the winning goal.
Despite Athletico’s late response, Grêmio held firm to secure their second consecutive win in the competition. With the win, Gremio climbed to third place in the standings, while Athletico remained in eighth. The thrilling match demonstrated the competitive spirit of both teams and set the scene for an exciting continuation of the Brasileirão season.
São Paulo make dramatic comeback to beat Goiás amid VAR controversy
São Paulo showed their resilience and maintained their unbeaten run by securing a thrilling 2-1 comeback victory over Goiás at the Morumbi. Despite a poor performance in the first half, conceding an early goal, the Tricolor were inspired by their passionate fans and turned the game around in the second half.
In the first half, Goiás took the lead in the 29th minute with a goal from Maguinho, despite São Paulo’s dominance. The away side had just one chance and converted it, going into the break with a 1-0 lead.
São Paulo, who were behind, equalized through Pablo Maia in the 57th minute. The home side saw a possible equalizer controversially disallowed by the VAR when Marcos Paulo was ruled offside. However, this setback only increased his determination even more. The home side stepped up their attacks and created several chances.
A corner kick caused chaos in the Goiás defense and, in the midst of the confusion, the ball fell into the hands of David, who shot coolly to score the winning goal, sparking wild celebrations from the São Paulo fans. The win moved São Paulo into the top four in the Campeonato Brasileiro, leaving them in a strong position for the coveted Copa Libertadores spot.
Under the guidance of coach Dorival Júnior, São Paulo extended their unbeaten run to an impressive 12 games, a record unmatched by any other São Paulo coach this century. The team’s remarkable recovery is a testament to their never-give-up mentality and their growing confidence under the new era with Dorival at the helm.
Fortaleza overcomes Vasco with a convincing win
In a match at the Castelão Arena, Vasco suffered defeat against Fortaleza in the eighth round of the Brazilian Championship. Former Vasco player Thiago Galhardo and Silvio Romero scored the goals for Leão do Pici in the final minutes of the second half.
The result lifted Fortaleza to sixth place in the league standings, while Vasco remained in the relegation zone. Fortaleza will now turn their attention to the Copa do Brasil, where they will face Palmeiras, while Vasco’s next challenge will be against Flamengo on June 5.
Throughout the first half, Fortaleza dominated the game, creating several chances to score. However, it wasn’t until the second half that the goal came. Thiago Galhardo’s header (87′) and Silvio Romero’s accurate finish (90’+4) sealed Fortaleza’s victory.
Vasco had their chances, with Figueiredo hitting the crossbar and Alex Teixeira testing João Ricardo’s goal. However, Fortaleza’s relentless attack was too much for Vasco’s defense, resulting in a deserved victory for the home side.
Cuiabá and Coritiba draw 1-1
In a very tight match, Cuiabá and Coritiba drew 1-1 in the Serie A of the Brasileirão.
Fernando Sobral opened the scoring for Cuiabá early on with a goal in the fourth minute. However, Coritiba recovered in the second half, with Robson equalizing in the 49th minute.
Cuiabá started the game brightly, taking an early lead through Sobral’s well disallowed goal. The team showed good attacking intent, creating chances to extend their lead. However, Coritiba regrouped in the second half and responded quickly with a well-taken shot from Robson, leveling the score.
Both teams pressed for victory as the game went on, but solid defending and missed chances meant that the final score remained 1-1. With the result, Cuiabá and Coritiba have one point and continue their campaign in the top division of the Brazilian Championship.