After the conclusion of the 2nd round of the 2024 Brasileirão, there were 9 highly contested matches. Inter and Flamengo emerged as leaders after maintaining a 100% record.
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Index
Brasileirão
Bahia 2×1 Fluminense
In a match that lasted 3 hours due to rain and the flooded pitch at Fonte Nova, Bahia defeated Fluminense in a come-from-behind victory.
Bahia lined up with: Marcos Felipe; Santiago Arias, Gabriel Xavier, Cuesta, and Luciano Juba; Caio Alexandre (Rezende), Jean Lucas, and Éverton Ribeiro (De Pena); Cauly (Cicinho), Thaciano (Everaldo), and Ademir (Biel).
While Fluminense was set up with: Fábio; Samuel Xavier (Kauã Elias), Manoel (Douglas Costa), Martinelli, and Diogo Barbosa (Alexsander); André, Lima (John Kennedy), Ganso, and Arias; Marquinhos and Cano (Isaac).
Fluminense started the match strongly and opened the scoring at 3 minutes. Santiago Arias was dispossessed by Jhon Arias in the defensive third. The Colombian passed to Cano, who controlled and struck it low to score the game’s first goal.
At 7 minutes, Cauly took a free-kick, Cuesta headed it, and Fábio made a good save.
Around the 16th minute, the game was halted for 1 hour. The pitch was in terrible condition due to the storm in Salvador.
At 25 minutes, Fluminense’s defense cleared the corner, Jean Lucas got the rebound and shot from outside the box. The ball narrowly missed the post.
It was end-to-end action. At 29 minutes, Marquinhos initiated a counter-attack, could’ve passed, but shot from outside the box. The shot deflected off the defense and went wide.
At 33 minutes, Cauly provided a beautiful pass to Ademir. The forward found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper, and Fábio made the save.
Soon after, Bahia took a corner, the ball evaded everyone and reached Caio Alexandre. The midfielder pulled it to the right and struck it into the top corner, scoring a screamer.
At 45 minutes, Cauly passed to Thaciano in the box, who evaded the marking and shot low, saved by Fábio.
Upon returning for the second half, Bahia continued to press and secured the lead at 16 minutes. Cauly received the ball at the edge of the box, performed a dazzling dribble past Manoel, and unleashed a left-footed rocket.
With the victory, Bahia bounced back from their defeat in the first round, while Fluminense has only 1 point in the championship.
Photo: Letícia Martins/Bahia
Grêmio 2×0 Athletico Paranaense
In order to recover from the controversial defeat against Vasco in São Januário on the first round of the Brasileirão, Grêmio hosted the high-flying Athletico Paranaense and showed its passionate fans that they have the ability to campaign as well as or better than their 2nd place finish last season.
Renato Gaúcho’s team took to the field with: Marchesín; Fábio, Geromel, Gustavo Martins, and Cuiabano; Dodi (Natã), Villasanti, and Cristaldo (Nathan Fernandes); Pavón (Gustavo Nunes), Soteldo (Du Queiroz), and João Pedro (Galdino).
Meanwhile, Cuca’s squad started with: Bento; Madson (Leonardo Godoy), Kaique Rocha, Thiago Heleno, and Lucas Esquível; Fernandinho (Zapelli) and Erick; Julimar (Zé Vitor), Canobbio, and Cuello (Alex Santana), with Mastriani leading the attack.
The game started fiercely contested, with both teams battling hard in midfield, but Athletico managing to construct better plays. At the 11th minute, Athletico had the first major chance to open the scoring with Cuello, who received the ball in midfield, dribbled freely, and unleashed a shot that narrowly missed the left post, grazing the woodwork.
At the 18th minute, Grêmio responded. Pavón received the ball on the edge of the area from the right, controlled it, and fired a firm shot across goal. Cristaldo, very attentive to the play, stormed into the box with great speed and tapped it in, making it 1-0 for Grêmio.
After opening the scoring, the Tricolor fans ignited the Arena, and Grêmio seemed to find more space. At the 22nd minute, Villasanti provided a beautiful trivela pass to Pavón again on the edge of the area from the right. The Argentine winger controlled the ball and squared it back. Villasanti struck it powerfully first-time, but Bento made a splendid save.
At the 23rd minute, Soteldo sprinted through the middle and found Pavón once again on the edge of the area on the right. The winger received the ball, took it forward slightly, and unleashed a rocket for another excellent save by Bento.
At the 28th minute, Athletico responded. Madson managed to reach the byline on the right and crossed it back. Julimar arrived and struck it across goal, but the ball grazed the post.
Towards the end of the first half, Tricolor had another chance to increase the lead. Soteldo dribbled through from the right and crossed it into the entrance of the area. Pavón received the ball and fired a firm shot, but Bento once again denied the Argentine.
The second half started with a lot of action. At the 2nd minute, another Pavón shot was saved by Bento, showcasing the duel between these two excellent players.
At the 5th minute, Grêmio took a throw-in from the right inside the box. Villasanti received the ball and crossed it for Soteldo, who was unmarked. The diminutive player struck it first-time, the ball still touched the feet of the Athletico defender, leaving Bento completely helpless as it ended up in the back of the net, making it 2-0.
At the 20th minute, Soteldo initiated a counter-attack from the left, dribbled the ball, and delivered a beautiful pass to João Pedro in the projection. The striker received the ball but was blocked by the defender while facing Bento.
The second half belonged entirely to Grêmio, who, after this chance, didn’t threaten much but also didn’t allow Athletico to grow at any point.
The Immortal finds their way back to victory and dreams of great achievements in the Brasileirão 2024.
RB Bragantino 2×1 Vasco
Bragantino defeated Vasco at Nabi Abi Chedid and reached 4 points in the Brasileirão, while Vasco remained at 3 points.
Massa Bruta took to the field with: Lucão; Andrés Hurtado, Douglas Mendes, Luan Cândido, and Guilherme Lopes; Raul (Jadsom Silva), Gustavo Neves (Bruninho), and Juninho Capixaba (Vitinho); Nacho Laquintana, Eduardo Sasha (Thiago Borbas), and Henry Mosquera (Eric Ramires).
Meanwhile, Vasco lined up with: Léo Jardim; Paulo Henrique, Léo, João Victor (Maicon), and Lucas Piton; Sforza, Matheus Carvalho (Zé Gabriel), and Galdames (Clayton); David (Adson), Rossi (Rayan), and Vegetti.
The home team started the game pressing and scored at 6 minutes, following goalkeeper Léo Jardim’s mistake. Andrés Hurtado struck weakly, in the middle, but Léo Jardim gave up the rebound and Nacho Laquintana sent it into the back of the net.
At 24 minutes, Rossi took a corner kick and the top scorer Vegetti found himself alone near the small area but headed wide of the goal.
At 31 minutes, Rossi was released in the area, diverted into the middle, and Vegetti sent it into the net. Rossi was a little ahead of the second-to-last defender, offside was signaled, and the goal was disallowed.
At 46 minutes, Paulo Henrique crossed into the area, Lucão cleared it, collided with Vegetti, and fell. On the rebound, Mateus Carvalho shot wide.
Five minutes into the second half, Léo crossed from afar, and Vegetti headed it onto the post.
At 17 minutes, Vasco executed a quick counterattack. Rayan passed to David, who invaded the area from the right side and crossed perfectly for Vegetti, who after trying so hard, managed to score his goal.
Bragantino once again took the lead at 32 minutes. Vitinho received on the left, dribbled past Galdames, and placed his shot. He benefited from a deflection off Maicon’s head, to deceive Léo Jardim and the ball went into the corner.
Vasco pressed, tried to react, and complained about a possible penalty suffered by Clayton at 48 minutes, but the referee did not call anything.
Photo: JOISEL R DO AMARAL/AGÊNCIA F8/ESTADÃO CONTEÚDO
Atlético Mineiro 1×1 Criciúma
Atlético-MG disappointed and only managed to draw with Criciúma at Arena MRV.
Galo took to the field with: Everson; Saravia, Igor Rabello, Mauricio Lemos, and Rubens (Guilherme Arana); Otávio, Alan Franco, Igor Gomes (Zaracho), and Scarpa (Alisson); Paulinho (Cadu) and Hulk (Vargas).
While Criciúma played with: Alisson; Rodrigo, Maia, Claudinho, and Trauco; Higor Meritão, Barreto (Barcía), Marcelo Hermes, Fellipe Mateus, and Marquinhos Gabriel (Arthur Caíke); Bolasie (Matheusinho).
At 19 minutes, Arana combined with Paulinho and took a shot from the edge of the box. Alisson made a good save.
Galo pressed, while Criciúma only defended. At 39 minutes, Hulk passed to Scarpa on the right wing, who cut inside and shot, benefitting from a deflection off Trauco to open the scoring.
Six minutes into the second half, Hulk took a corner towards the edge of the box. Scarpa struck it first time, and the ball narrowly missed the post.
At 21 minutes, Hulk combined with Paulinho and attempted a long-range shot. The ball sailed over the goal.
At 37 minutes, Vargas advanced down the left, won the duel with Rodrigo, and crossed. The ball fell to Alisson, unmarked, but the youngster shot wide.
Criciúma equalized at 39 minutes, with their first and only shot towards goal. Barcia crossed, the ball evaded almost everyone, except Matheusinho, who redirected it into the net.
With the score level, both teams have 2 points in the championship.
Photo: Gilson Lobo/AGIF
Fortaleza 1×1 Cruzeiro
In order to maintain their 100% record, the Lion of Pici hosted the Raposa in the packed Castelão Arena.
Fortaleza took to the field with: João Ricardo; Tinga, Titi, and Brítez; Yago Pikachu (Marinho), Pochettino (Lucas Sasha), Zé Welison (Pedro Augusto), Hercules, and Bruno Pacheco; Machuca and Lucero.
Meanwhile, the Cabuloso came with: Anderson; William, Neris (Robert), João Marcelo, and Marlon; Lucas Silva (Matheus Vital), Ramiro (Gabriel Veron); Matheus Pereira, Rafael Silva (Rafael Elias), and Arthur Gomes (Barreal).
For much of the first half, neither team could effectively break through, but set pieces provided opportunities for significant chances.
At the 12th minute, Matheus Pereira took a corner from the left, and Rafa Silva rose above everyone to head firmly, but João Ricardo was alert and made a beautiful save.
At the 18th minute, Pochettino took a corner from the right to the near post. Lucero attempted a bicycle kick but missed, and the ball fell to Hercules at the entrance of the area. The youngster struck it first-time, a beautiful curling shot leaving the goalkeeper no chance, making it 1-0 for Fortaleza.
After conceding, Cruzeiro attempted to regroup and started exchanging more passes in Fortaleza’s half. At the 20th minute, Lucas Silva tried a long-range shot, but João Ricardo handled it comfortably.
At the 39th minute, Cabuloso executed a beautiful triangle play in midfield. The ball found Arthur Gomes on the left wing, who controlled it, dribbled towards the byline, and crossed it low into the area. The ball deflected off two Fortaleza players and fell to Rafa Silva, who was free to shoot. He struck it first-time, but João Ricardo made a great save.
At the 6th minute of the second half, Romero delivered a beautiful cross to Matheus Pereira at the far post, who headed it across goal. The ball clearly hit Tinga’s arm in a non-natural position, but the play continued, and Cruzeiro almost scored. The VAR intervened, and the referee reviewed the play, confirming that the ball indeed hit Tinga’s arm. However, the VAR then ruled that Matheus Pereira was offside in the play, showcasing amateurism from the refereeing team.
Cruzeiro desperately tried to equalize. At the 18th minute, Matheus Pereira played a beautiful through ball to Veron, who was entering the area. The youngster took a first-time shot, narrowly missing the post.
Fortaleza also managed to reach Cruzeiro’s area but struggled with finishing. At the 32nd minute, another excellent chance was thwarted by João Ricardo. Marlon carried the ball down the left and delivered a good cross to Rafael Elias, who attacked it with pace, but João Ricardo made another stunning save.
At the 39th minute, Fortaleza earned a free-kick outside the area on the left. Moisés stepped up and took a beautiful shot, which Anderson saved well.
To make matters worse for Raposa, Lucas Romero was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for a harsh tackle from behind. However, Cruzeiro didn’t give up and continued to push.
In the dying moments, Robert managed to carry the ball down the right, reaching the byline inside the area, under pressure from the Lion’s defense. Almost falling, he crossed it back, and Matheus Vital, with good anticipation, attacked the ball with a precise finish, leaving João Ricardo with no chance, making it 1-1, and that concluded the game at the Castelão.
Photo: Mateus Lotif/Fortaleza EC
Juventude 2×0 Corinthians
Juventude traveled to Santa Catarina and put on a great show against Criciúma, then hosted Corinthians at Alfredo Jaconi Stadium, showing definitively in the second round that they didn’t come just to make up the numbers in Brazil’s top-flight football.
The Caxias team lined up with: Gabriel Vasconcelos; João Lucas, Danilo Boza, Zé Marcos (Rodrigo Sam), and Gabriel Inocêncio; Jádson, Caique Gonçalves, Jean Carlos (Marcelinho), and Lucas Barbosa (Ruan); Nenê (Mandaca) and Erick Farías (Werick Popó).
Meanwhile, Corinthians started with Cássio, Fagner, Félix Torres, Gustavo Henrique, and Hugo; Raniele (Fausto Vera) and Igor Coronado; Romero (Gustavo Silva), Garro, and Wesley (Maycon (Paulinho)) and Yuri Alberto (Pedro Raúl).
Corinthians started the game very well, providing width and depth with their full-backs and also building through the middle. At 9 minutes, Fagner attacked down the right flank, received the ball, and crossed low into the box. Yuri Alberto met the ball first and struck a shot that narrowly missed the post. At 10 minutes, Coronado delivered a beautiful corner to the near post, where Yuri Alberto outpaced the marking and headed narrowly wide.
From that moment, Juventude tightened their marking, and the game became more balanced, with good opportunities for both teams.
At 14 minutes, Nenê displayed some skill on the left and centered the ball for Lucas Barbosa, who controlled, evaded the defender, and shot wide.
At 28, Corinthians lost possession in midfield, presenting an opportunity for Nenê, who passed to Erick. The midfielder spotted Jean Carlos making a run and played him through. Jean Carlos found himself one-on-one with Cássio and shot straight at the Corinthians’ goalkeeper.
At 40, João Lucas received the ball outside the box on the right, cut inside, and unleashed a left-footed shot, brilliantly saved by Cássio.
Towards the end of the first half, Juventude’s defense faltered and lost the ball, which fell to Romero. The Paraguayan dribbled towards the box and shot wide. That concluded an exciting first half in Caxias do Sul.
Early in the second half, Corinthians exchanged slick passes in midfield, and Garro’s through ball found Yuri Alberto clear on goal. The striker controlled the ball facing Gabriel in goal but couldn’t beat him, and the ball also hit the Juventude defender attempting to block the play with a slide tackle and went out for a corner.
The corner was swung into the box, glanced off Gabriel the goalkeeper and Félix Torres the defender, and fell kindly to Hugo on the left, who struck a first-time shot just over the crossbar.
The second half was even more thrilling than the first. At 6 minutes, Gabriel Inocêncio received the ball on the left and crossed low back into the box. Lucas Barbosa fired a firm shot, but straight at Cássio, who spilled the ball but quickly recovered it.
In the next move, defender Zé Marcos intercepted a pass and found Jádson in space in midfield. The midfielder played the ball out wide to the team’s playmaker, Jean Lucas. He dribbled down the left flank and unleashed a powerful, curling shot from long range. The ball touched the grass before reaching the goal, deceiving Cássio and nestling into the bottom corner – what a goal, Jean Carlos’s second in the Brasileirão. 1×0 Juventude.
Corinthians was shaken by the goal, and at 13 minutes, Gustavo Henrique passed the ball back to Cássio, who tried to play it to Félix Torres on the right but ended up hitting Jean Carlos. The midfielder raced towards the byline and crossed for Lucas Barbosa to score, making it 2-0 for Juve. A goalkeeper error and joy for Lucas Barbosa, who had been striving to score his first goal in the Brasileirão since the first match.
After the second goal, the game cooled down, but both teams still had chances from set-pieces. At 28, Nenê delivered a perfect free-kick, the ball was deflected, and Cássio cleared it with a mere glance, as it seemed destined for the net.
At 40, Corinthians attempted a comeback. After a corner from the right, Pedro Raúl rose high and headed powerfully, but Gabriel Vasconcelos, one of Juventude’s standout performers in the early stages of the Brasileirão, made a magnificent save to deny Corinthians a goal.
In the last minute of the game, Jádson was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for a strong challenge on Coronado. However, nothing could take away the victory from Juventude. Final whistle, 2-0 to Juventude in another excellent game to follow.
Photo: Fernando Alves/E.C.Juventude
Palmeiras 0x1 Internacional
Unable to play at Allianz Parque due to a Jonas Brothers concert, Palmeiras hosted Internacional at Arena Barueri with only 15 thousand fans, almost half the average attendance for Palmeiras’ home games.
With only Zé Rafael missing from the starting lineup, Palmeiras lined up with: Weverton; Mayke (Marcos Rocha), Gustavo Gómez, Murilo, and Piquerez; Aníbal Moreno, Richard Ríos (Gabriel Menino), and Raphael Veiga (Rômulo); Endrick Lázaro (Rony) and Flaco López (Estevão).
Meanwhile, the Clube do Povo came with: Rochet; Bustos (Igor Gomes), Vitão, Mercado, and Renê; Thiago Maia and Bruno Henrique (Rômulo); Wesley (Robert Renan), Maurício (Lucca), Wanderson (Gustavo Prado), and Borré leading the attack.
The game started very tactically between the two teams, who seemed well-organized defensively. The first dangerous chance of the game came only at 8 minutes when full-back Renê received the ball on the left, cut inside, and unleashed a shot from outside the box, but straight at goalkeeper Weverton, who caught it easily.
Palmeiras tried to push forward more but couldn’t string together plays through the middle due to Internacional’s strong midfield marking. When Palmeiras got near the box, they couldn’t finish their chances well, mainly due to Vitão’s excellent performance on Wednesday night.
At 19 minutes, Flaco López tried to launch a counter-attack, but Vitão intercepted the ball with a clearance forward. Borré managed to control the ball in a duel against Murilo and laid it off for Wesley, who was sprinting. The former Palmeiras player dribbled past Gómez and was brought down inside the box, penalty for Inter.
Borré stepped up confidently, ran, and blasted the ball over the crossbar. What was that, player? The ball almost left Arena Barueri.
After the missed penalty, Palmeiras gained confidence in the game and started to play more. They began to create good moves through wing play, but at 27 minutes, Endrick received the ball in midfield and started threading through the Internacional defense. The youngster saw Lázaro’s run down the left and promptly passed to the winger, who played a beautiful ball for Veiga in space. Veiga shot first-time, narrowly missing the goal – what a shame, it would have been a great goal to equalize the game.
By the end of the first half, Palmeiras seemed more comfortable and managed to circulate the ball in the opponent’s half. However, at 25 minutes, Piquerez tried to dribble on the left in the defensive third but was dispossessed by Borré. The Colombian dashed towards the box diagonally and, sensing Wesley’s run like an arrow down the right, played a perfect pass for the youngster to finish strongly and accurately into the bottom right corner, past Weverton’s reach – 1×0 Inter, and once again, the Law of the Former coming into play in the Brasileirão 2024.
Palmeiras immediately felt the impact of the conceded goal, so much so that 2 minutes later, as the first half drew to a close, Inter had a clear chance to increase the lead. Mercado launched a ball for Borré to pivot, and the Colombian laid it off for Renê and made a run towards the box. The full-back noticed the movement and delivered a perfect lobbed pass for the striker, who rose unmarked but headed powerfully wide. End of the first half.
In the second half, Palmeiras tried everything to breach Inter’s defense, but nothing worked. Inter’s defensive system was impeccable, nullifying any good chance Palmeiras could create, and whenever the ball passed through, Rochet was always alert.
The entire second half was Palmeiras trying to find a way through, mainly down the wings, but they couldn’t finish their plays well. Mercado cleared every ball, Vitão didn’t let anyone into the box, and Thiago Maia battled in midfield – what a performance from Inter’s defensive system.
And so the game ended at Arena Barueri, with the reigning champions suffering their first defeat in the competition and the warrior Inter maintaining a 100% record with a crucial victory for the unfolding of the championship, especially for the confidence gained by the squad. After all, it’s not every day that you completely neutralize the current Brazilian champions.
Photo: Ricardo Duarte/SC Internacional
Flamengo 2×1 São Paulo
With 50 thousand spectators at the Maracanã, São Paulo and Flamengo, who contested the previous year’s Copa do Brasil final, met again but in very different circumstances. Flamengo came in on a high with the Rio de Janeiro state title and a win in the first round of the Brasileirão, while São Paulo had been experiencing poor results and immense pressure from the fans on both the squad and the young coach Thiago Carpini, who was sacked on Thursday afternoon.
Flamengo, seeking their second consecutive victory, lined up with: Rossi; Varela, Fabrício Bruno, Léo Pereira, and Ayrton Lucas; Pulgar and Allan (Igor Jesus); Bruno Henrique (Victor Hugo), De la Cruz (Gerson), and Everton (Luiz Araújo); Pedro.
Meanwhile, the pressured São Paulo took the field with: Rafael, Ferraresi (Ferreirinha), Arboleda, and Diego Costa; Igor Vinícius, Alisson, Pablo Maia (Juan), and Welington; Luciano and Michel Araújo (Erick); Calleri (André Silva).
The game started evenly, with both teams trying to assert themselves, but until almost 20 minutes, there were no major chances created. At 18, Alisson pressed Fabrício Bruno on the ball, stole it, and shot powerfully from outside the box, well saved by Rossi.
Next, De la Cruz carried the ball through the middle and found Pulgar. The Chilean received the ball and played a beautiful pass to Bruno Henrique, who tried to dribble towards the box but was dispossessed. The ball fell to De la Cruz, who once again showed mastery in dribbling through the middle and passed to Luiz Araújo, who had just come on for the injured Everton. The former São Paulo player carried the ball down the right, made a beautiful cut inside to beat the defender, and fired a precise shot into the top-right corner, beating Rafael – what a goal, and once again, the Law of the Former coming into play in the Brasileirão 2024, 1×0 Flamengo.
São Paulo felt the blow of the goal and couldn’t get back into the game in the first half, while Flamengo tried to capitalize on the opportunity. However, despite dominating possession, they couldn’t be effective and kill off the game.
The second half began, and Carpini made two changes, bringing on Ferreirinha for Ferraresi and Erick for Michel Araújo, shifting the system from 3 center-backs to a sort of 4-3-3, which somewhat helped São Paulo to have more possession and be more incisive, but it was Flamengo who had the chance to increase the lead.
At 7 minutes, Bruno Henrique received the ball on the left wing and made his trademark move, cutting inside with speed and unleashing a right-footed shot, but straight at Rafael in goal.
In the next move, Pedro recovered the ball with a beautiful tackle just outside the São Paulo box. Ayrton Lucas received the ball and carried it towards the box on the left, but was dispossessed. The ball fell to Pedro, who produced a lovely dribble, leaving the São Paulo player on the ground, and shot into the bottom corner. Rafael made a great effort to prevent the goal, but the ball rebounded to Uruguayan De la Cruz, who tapped it into the net, crowning his excellent performance, 2×0 Flamengo.
São Paulo tried everything but couldn’t break through the secure Flamengo defense, which had significantly improved since Tite took over as coach.
At 21, after a corner from the left, Fabrício Bruno fired a powerful header towards the bottom corner, but Rafael made another good save.
At 33, São Paulo attempted a comeback. After a long and good passing sequence in Flamengo’s half, Alisson received the ball almost at the edge of the box on the right and found Ferreirinha free at the far post, who rose alone and headed home to reduce the deficit to 2×1.
São Paulo continued to exchange passes in Flamengo’s half but without effectiveness. They had one more chance but couldn’t convert it. In the end, the Rio team left with the victory and the lead in the Brasileirão, a position they hadn’t held since the 38th round of the 2020 Brasileirão, when they were crowned champions. Meanwhile, São Paulo faces a crisis midway through the season, having sacked Carpini and now scrambling to find a new coach and better days.
Photo: Gilvan Souza/CRF
Botafogo vs Atlético Goianiense
To conclude the 2nd round of the Brasileirão 2024, Botafogo, aiming to secure their first win in the championship and replicate their strong first-half performance from last season, hosted Atlético Goianiense at the Nilton Santos Stadium.
The Fogão took to the field with: Gatito Fernández; Mateo Ponte, Lucas Halter, Bastos, and Hugo; Gregore (Danilo Barbosa), Tchê Tchê, Luis Henrique (Savarino), and Jeffinho (Óscar Romero); Júnior Santos (Patrick de Paula) and Matheus Nascimento (Tiquinho Soares).
Meanwhile, the Dragão entered with: Ronaldo; Bruno Tubarão, Luiz Felipe, Pedro Henrique, and Guilherme Romão; Rheldney (Yony González), Baralhas, Shaylon, and Alejo Cruz (Vágner Love); Luiz Fernando (Max) and Emiliano Rodriguez (Derek).
The first half belonged entirely to the home team, who couldn’t create significant chances consistently but threatened whenever they did. At the 5th minute, Tchê Tchê took a free-kick on the left corner of the box, the ball sailed over the wall and narrowly missed the right side of Ronaldo’s goal.
At the 6th minute, after a corner was delivered to the far post, Bastos struck the ball first-time but it went completely off target to the other side of the box. Hugo received the ball and crossed it again, this time to the middle for Lucas Halter, who controlled it but shot unbalanced straight into the middle of the goal.
At the 18th minute, Atlético’s defense made a grave mistake in their build-up play, gifting the ball to Luiz Henrique. The young winger played the ball out to Jeffinho on the right flank, who received it and set it up for Tchê Tchê to shoot from outside the box. However, the shot sailed too high over Ronaldo’s goal.
Just when the game seemed to be losing its spark, primarily due to numerous passing errors from both teams, Botafogo managed to create a beautiful play at the 31st minute and open the scoring.
Júnior Santos played a lovely ball into the right side of the box for Luís Henrique, who received it while turning his body inside. After the turn, he found a beautiful pass for Mateo Ponte, the full-back took a first-time shot, firm and across goal, leaving Ronaldo with no chance, making it 1-0 Botafogo.
In the next play, Fogão had a chance to extend their lead but squandered the opportunity.
In the second half, Botafogo dropped their lines, and Atlético Goianiense took advantage, becoming more dangerous in attack. However, they lacked effectiveness in the final touch and finishing, failing to equalize the game despite putting on a strong second-half performance.
Photo:
Vitor Silva/Botafogo.
Written by Henry Miller and João Felipe Miller
