Author: Vishwajit Sawant
Palmeiras – Goiás – 1:0
In a thrilling match at Allianz Parque on Friday, Palmeiras secured a hard-fought 1-0 win over Goiás in the 23rd round of the Brasileirão thanks to a dramatic late goal. The win took Palmeiras to 44 points, just seven points behind league leaders Botafogo, who have played a game less. This win marks Palmeiras’ fifth consecutive game without defeat, demonstrating their determination to climb the league standings.
The first half had little excitement, with Palmeiras struggling to assert their dominance at home. Despite controlling possession, the team only created a few chances. Goiás, on the other hand, posed little threat to Palmeiras’ goal, with only one real chance.
The dynamic of the game changed after the break, with Goiás trying to launch attacks. But midfielder Rafael Guzzo let the visitors down, received two yellow cards in just two minutes (73-75) and was sent off. Playing in the minority, the visitors still scored in the 88th minute, but from an offside position.
In the sixth minute of stoppage time, Breno Lopez took advantage of a rebound and sent the ball into the net to give the hosts the win. This result not only extends the team’s unbeaten run, but also puts them in contention for the title.
Cuiabá – América-MG – 2:2
In a very tight match this Friday at the Arena Pantanal in Cuiabá, América-MG and Cuiabá drew 2-2 in the 23rd round of the Brazilian Championship. Although América-MG went 2-0 ahead, they couldn’t hold on as Cuiabá managed to recover and secure a valuable point.
The game started with both teams showing aggression, with several fouls committed in the first five minutes. However, it was América-MG who scored first in the 10th minute, when Rodriguinho took advantage of a defensive error to open the scoring with a powerful shot.
América-MG extended their lead in the first half when Felipe Azevedo scored after a quick counter-attack in the 32nd minute – 0:2. But Cuiabá reacted quickly, with Deyverson converting a penalty to reduce the deficit in the 35th minute – 1:2. As the game wore on, Cuiabá’s persistence was rewarded when Wellington Silva scored the equalizer just before half-time (41 mins), setting the scene for a tense second half.
In the second half, there were fewer clear-cut chances, with both teams fighting fiercely in midfield. América-MG’s hopes were dealt a severe blow when Danilo Avelar was shown a straight red card in the 77th minute for a high foul. Cuiabá went on the attack in search of a late winner, but couldn’t find the net. The match ended in a 2-2 draw, with Cuiabá breaking their losing streak but still yearning to win.
América-MG, on the other hand, remain in a precarious position in the standings, occupying 19th place and nine points away from escaping the relegation zone. Both teams are waiting for their next games to continue their journey in the Brasileirão.