Author: Vishwajit Sawant
On a busy Sunday in the Brasileirão Série A, Santos won a crucial game, Cruzeiro drew and Coritiba pulled off a surprise win, defining the league standings and leaving fans eager for more exciting moments in Brazilian soccer.
Coritiba surprise Athletico-PR with 2-0 win and gain vital points
Coritiba, bottom of the Brazilian Championship, managed a surprising 2-0 win over Athletico-PR on Sunday at Couto Pereira, in the 25th round of the competition. The win marked Coritiba’s fourth in the league, with goals scored by Victor Luis and Slimani.
In the early stages of the match, Coritiba showed their dominance and took the lead in the 13th minute when defender Victor Luis hit a powerful shot that left the Athletico-PR goalkeeper helpless. The Alviverde continued to control the game and Slimani came close to scoring a second goal in the 24th minute, but the Furacão goalkeeper was able to make the save.
Athletico-PR struggled to create chances in the first half, with the first attempt on goal coming in the 29th minute when Cacá’s header was stopped by Coritiba goalkeeper Gabriel. Just before half-time, Slimani scored with a header, extending Coritiba’s lead to 2-0.
After the break, Athletico-PR made changes and showed a more determined performance. The team had chances with Canobbio and Rômulo, but Coritiba goalkeeper Gabriel made crucial saves to keep the score clean. Despite their best efforts, Athletico-PR were unable to break through Coritiba’s defense, and the game ended in a 2-0 victory for the underdogs.
Coritiba have now reached 17 points, one point behind 19th-placed América-MG. Athletico-PR, meanwhile, dropped to eighth place on 40 points. In their next games, Coritiba will visit Atlético-MG at the MRV Arena, while Athletico-PR will host Red Bull Bragantino.
Cruzeiro and América-MG draw 1-1
In a much-anticipated derby in the Brazilian Championship, Cruzeiro and América-MG drew 1-1 at the Mineirão stadium on matchday 25. The game was marked by a goal from Cruzeiro defender Luciano Castán, who headed the ball into the net to give his team the lead. However, América-MG responded quickly with an impressive long-range goal from Argentinian Martín Benítez, leveling the score before the break.
In the second half, the two teams fought a fierce battle, but chances were limited and neither side managed to change the course of the game. Despite their best efforts, Cruzeiro were unable to secure victory at home, continuing their fight to win at the Mineirão in 2023.
Cruzeiro currently occupy 12th place in the league standings with 30 points, while América-MG are still in the fight against relegation, occupying penultimate place with 18 points, just above Coritiba.
The match also featured a red card for Cruzeiro’s Fernando Henrique in stoppage time after a harsh tackle on América-MG’s Cazares.
Santos beat Vasco 4-1 to escape the relegation zone
In a decisive match of the 25th round of the Campeonato Brasileiro, Santos secured a resounding 4-1 victory over Vasco at Vila Belmiro. Striker Marcos Leonardo shone with two goals, while Venezuelan talents Tomás Rincón and Soteldo also scored for the Peixe. At the other end, Argentinian Vegetti scored for Vasco.
This crucial victory lifted Santos out of the relegation zone and into 15th place in the league standings with 27 points. The team’s performance under interim coach Marcelo Fernandes has been impressive, further strengthening his chances of taking over the team until the end of the Brasileirão.
Vasco, who had been on a run of three consecutive wins, are now in danger of slipping back into the relegation zone. With 26 points (the same as Goiás), the team is just above the Z4, with Goiás having the opportunity to push them down the standings in their next match against Botafogo.
The story of the game began with Marcos Leonardo’s penalty in the 14th minute, after a foul by Puma Rodríguez. Vasco responded with an equalizer in the 30th minute, thanks to a goal from Argentinian Vegetti after a mistake by the Santos defense.
However, Santos regained the lead just before half-time when Tomás Rincón took advantage of a deflection from Soteldo’s corner kick and scored in the 45th minute. In the final moments of the first half, Marcos Leonardo scored again, extending Santos’ lead with a well-placed shot.
In the second half, Santos skilfully managed their lead and capitalized even more on the situation after Gary Medel and Lucas Lima were sent off in a heated argument sparked by Soteldo’s provocative play. In the final stage, in a counter-attack led by Marcos Leonardo, Tomás Rincón assisted his fellow countryman, sealing Santos’ 4-1 victory.
Vasco’s next match is against São Paulo at São Januário on Saturday, while Santos are preparing for a highly anticipated derby against Palmeiras at Allianz Parque on Sunday.
Palmeiras beaten 2-1 by Bragantino with reserve team
In a match valid for the 25th round of the Brazilian Championship, Palmeiras faced Red Bull Bragantino with a fully reserve team and ended up losing 2-1. Endrick scored for Palmeiras, while Eduardo Sasha scored from the penalty spot for Bragantino, and Eric Ramires secured the win for the home side in the final minutes.
This defeat puts Palmeiras, led by coach Abel Ferreira, in fourth place on 44 points, seven points behind leaders Botafogo. Bragantino took advantage of the opportunity to move up the league standings, overtaking Flamengo, Grêmio and even Palmeiras, finishing the match in second place.
Palmeiras are now fully focused on the Copa Libertadores, where they will face Boca Juniors in a decisive semi-final second leg on Thursday. In the first leg, the teams played out a goalless draw in Buenos Aires.
For this Brazilian Championship match, Abel Ferreira fielded a completely alternative team, even resting first-choice goalkeeper Weverton, who was replaced by Marcelo Lomba. Despite taking the lead with Endrick’s first-half goal, Palmeiras were unable to win as Eduardo Sasha’s penalty and Eric Ramires’ late header sent Bragantino to glory.
Palmeiras’ next game in the Brazilian Championship is against Santos on Sunday, while Red Bull Bragantino will have a week to rest and prepare before facing Athletico-PR, also next Sunday.