After the Wednesday matches on the 18th, teams battling relegation secured victories in the 27th round, making the competition even more intense at the bottom of the table.
The balance of the Brasileirão is known worldwide, but the current situation in the relegation battle is astonishing. From the 12th to the 18th place, there is only a 2-point difference.
On Wednesday night, Goiás, Vasco, and Bahia emerged victorious in their home matches. On Thursday, the 19th, Santos, Corinthians, and Cruzeiro will conclude the round, aiming to distance themselves from the danger zone.
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Index
Goiás 2×0 São Paulo
Goiás defeated São Paulo at Serrinha and broke a streak of 7 winless games in the championship.
After a tightly contested start with numerous fouls, Goiás took the lead with a spectacular goal by Hugo. In the 9th minute, Guilherme Marques delivered an open corner kick towards an unmarked Hugo, who, without letting the ball touch the ground, unleashed a perfect first-time shot into the top corner past Rafael, who didn’t even move.
With the lead, Goiás retreated to their own half, allowing São Paulo to control the ball. Despite having significantly more possession, São Paulo did little with it and was further punished in the last minute of the first half due to a bizarre mistake by Alisson. The midfielder attempted to dribble the ball in his defensive half but was dispossessed by Morelli, who sprinted, easily bypassed Diego Costa, and, one-on-one with the goalkeeper, found the back of the net.
Early in the second half, at the 5th minute, João Magno received a long pass from the defense, faced Rafael one-on-one, and attempted a delicate chip, but the ball lacked power and was cleared for a corner by Beraldo.
In the 33rd minute, Goiás threatened again with a direct play. Tadeu launched an attack, Diego Costa slipped, and the ball fell to Vinícius, who went past Rafinha and took a shot, only to be blocked by Beraldo.
At the 40th minute, Higor Meritão capitalized on a corner kick and headed the ball, which took a deflection off David and hit the post of Rafael’s goal.
With the loss, coach Dorival Júnior expressed his dissatisfaction with São Paulo’s performance away from home and stated in the press conference:
“We need to be aware that the championship isn’t over. It’s really bothering us that we haven’t been getting results on the road. It’s not healthy for a team like ours, especially given the amount of effort we put in against the opponents, and the results are not coming. It’s a major concern, but we have to keep working to improve.”
Photo: Iconsport
Vasco 1×0 Fortaleza
Fueled by their supporters in a packed São Januário, Vasco defeated Fortaleza with Payet’s first goal.
In the opening 10 minutes, Vasco created two great chances. First, with Payet, who received a pass from Pec but was denied by João Ricardo, and later with a miraculous save from the Fortaleza goalkeeper. Payet delivered a cross in search of Vegetti, but Tinga intercepted it on its way and nearly chipped João Ricardo, who made the save with his fingertips.
At the 25-minute mark, Piton won a duel against Zé Welison and played it to Praxedes on the left side of the box. The midfielder unleashed a powerful shot, and João Ricardo made another save.
In the 31st minute, Payet advanced through the middle and passed it to Praxedes, who entered the box. He struck a left-footed shot into the corner, forcing a corner kick as João Ricardo made the save.
After persisting and creating numerous chances, Vasco broke the deadlock 12 minutes into the second half. Praxedes set up Payet in the middle, and the Frenchman pulled to his left foot and shot it into the corner, just by the post, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
At the 14th minute, Fortaleza came close to equalizing. Yago Pikachu received a cross at the far post and laid it into the middle of the box. Pochettino was unmarked and headed from close range, but Léo Jardim made a great save.
Fortaleza tried aerial balls and long-range shots but faced an inspired night from Léo Jardim. Vasco, on the other hand, sought to seal the game on the counter-attack but couldn’t, and the match ended 1-0 in favor of the Gigante da Colina.
Bahia 1×0 Internacional
With three goals disallowed for offside, Bahia defeated Internacional, leaving the Colorado in a precarious situation in the Brasileirão.
In a technically lackluster first half, Inter had a chance with Luiz Adriano, and Bahia with Cauly, but without posing a significant threat.
Towards the end of the first half, on their first shot on goal, Bahia opened the scoring. At the 43rd minute, Biel received the ball near the center circle, advanced to the edge of the penalty area, and struck a low shot across the goal to score the lone goal of the match.
In the second half, Bahia had three goals correctly disallowed for offside. Meanwhile, Inter hit the post with Mercado’s header and had opportunities to equalize with Maurício.
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Foto: Felipe Oliveira / EC Bahia / Divulgação
América-MG 1×2 Botafogo
Leader Botafogo beat bottom side América at Independência. Júnior Santos scored both goals for Fogão and Benítez, in a beautiful move, scored for Coelho
Grêmio 1×2 Atheltico-PR
Furacão beat Grêmio in an upset at the Arena. Besozzi opened the scoring for the home team, Zapelli equalized in the first half and, in stoppage time, Kaique Rocha scored the winning goal for Atheltico.
Coritiba 0x3 Cuiabá
Cuiabá took no notice of Coxa and won comfortably at Couto Pereira. Deyverson opened the scoring with a header, Pitta added a great goal and Raniele closed the score.
Written by Henry Miller.
