Author: Vishwajit Sawant
In a long-awaited breakthrough, Coritiba secured their first win in the Campeonato Brasileiro after 13 games without a win. Using the infamous “Law of Ex”, Coritiba emerged triumphant, beating Goiás 2-1 on Monday. The victory took the team to seven points in the league standings, although they are still at the bottom of the table and their gap with Corinthians is five points. In any case, Coritiba are the first team out of the relegation zone. On the other hand, Goiás missed a valuable opportunity to escape the bottom and remained in 17th place with 11 points.
The match was characterized by intense nerves and tension, as both teams understood the importance of the clash in their fight against relegation. The first few minutes of the game were dominated by fierce disputes and heated arguments, which overshadowed the goal-scoring opportunities. However, it was Coritiba who opened the scoring in a quick counter-attack. Alef Manga, a former Goiás player, showed his skill when he dribbled past his former teammate and calmly slotted the ball into the net. Initially ruled offside, the goal was eventually awarded after the VAR intervened.
Despite having less possession, Coritiba defended resolutely and limited Goiás to a few clear chances. It was from a corner that Coritiba doubled their lead, with Kuscevic inadvertently deflecting the ball into the net with his thigh. Goiás tried to recover and reduce the deficit, and succeeded with Dodô, who scored shortly after coming on as a substitute. However, Coritiba stood firm in defense and withstood Goiás’ final pressure.
The victory serves as a morale boost for Coritiba, who now have renewed hope in their fight against relegation. The team showed resilience and determination, and their defensive efforts, including crucial saves from goalkeeper Gabriel, were key to securing the three points. The focus now shifts to maintaining this positive momentum, as Coritiba aim to climb out of the relegation zone.