Index
Palmeiras 1×2 São Paulo
São Paulo wins over Palmeiras again and qualifies at the Allianz Parque.
In the first leg at Morumbi Stadium, the derby saw chances for both teams. Palmeiras had a slight advantage in the first half, but in the second half, Tricolor took control and secured a victory with Rafinha’s goal at the 82nd minute. The full-back received a pass from Wellington Rato at the entrance of the box, struck the ball firmly, and benefited from a deflection off Luan’s head to score the lone goal of the match.
In the second leg at Allianz Parque, Palmeiras exerted pressure and created the first dangerous opportunities with aerial balls and long-range shots from Rony.
However, Tricolor reacted quickly and came close to scoring with Calleri and Nestor. The most dangerous shot, though, came from Caio Paulista, who made a run down the left flank and forced Weverton to make a save from inside the box.
Just when it seemed like São Paulo had control of the game, Piquerez scored an unexpected goal. The full-back, while attempting a cross, surprised Rafael, who was poorly positioned, and scored the opening goal of the match at the 33rd minute.
Towards the end of the first half, Calleri made a good play, passed to Wellington Rato, who found himself one-on-one with Weverton, but the goalkeeper made the save.
In the second half, Tricolor equalized at the 4th minute. Luciano took advantage of Mayke’s deflection from a cross and passed to Caio Paulista, who infiltrated inside and got past Luan. The ball went up, and he struck it powerfully with the inside of his foot, under Weverton’s legs, to level the game.
São Paulo extended their lead at the 14th minute when Wellington Rato delivered a perfectly placed free-kick for Calleri, who rose freely and sent the ball into the back of the net. However, referee Daronco saw a foul by Diego Costa on Zé Rafael. The VAR called the referee to review the play on the monitor, but Daronco upheld his decision and disallowed the goal.
In the final stretch, Tricolor turned the game around at the 43rd minute in a move initiated by Rafael. The goalkeeper distributed the ball to David, who won the aerial duel and combined with Juan. The winger dribbled past Luan, found himself one-on-one with Weverton, and showed great composure to secure São Paulo’s place in the Copa do Brasil semifinals.
São Paulo will face Corinthians in the semifinals.
Photo: Icon Sport
Athletico-PR 0x2 Flamengo
Flamengo wins against Athletico-PR once again and secures a spot in the semifinals.
In the first leg at Maracanã Stadium, the Rubro-Negro came from behind to win. Cannobio opened the scoring early in the first half, while Pedro and Bruno Henrique found the net in the second half.
In the second leg at Ligga Arena, Flamengo started strong, but the Furacão organized themselves and began creating the best opportunities from the 20th minute onwards. Vitor Roque had two chances, first at the 27th minute when he was launched in speed into the box but was blocked by Fabrício Bruno, and a few minutes later when he received the ball in the area, turned, struck a well-placed shot, and hit the post.
Flamengo took the lead at the 44th minute. Thiago Maia crossed the ball and found Arrascaeta on the left side of the box. The Uruguayan redirected the ball towards the middle, and Erick inadvertently scored an own goal.
At the start of the second half, Furacão exerted a lot of pressure and threatened with long-range shots. At the 12th minute, Vitor Bueno took a shot from outside the box, and the goalkeeper almost fumbled, cushioning the ball, but narrowly avoiding a blunder on the goal line.
At the 14th minute, Arrascaeta found Gabigol behind Thiago Heleno. The number 10 ran free, dribbled past Bento outside the box, and slotted the ball into the net. However, the goal was disallowed due to a tight offside call, which generated a lot of controversy.
At the 41st minute, after a scramble in the box, the ball fell free to Vitor Bueno near the penalty spot. The midfielder struck the ball, but David Luiz headed it away for a corner. Cuello attempted to surprise Matheus Cunha with an Olympic goal from the corner, but the ball hit the post and went out.
In stoppage time, the Rubro-Negro extended their lead. Léo Pereira flicked the ball to Gabigol in the box, who managed to control it and slotted it under Bento to seal the victory.
Flamengo will face Grêmio in the Copa do Brasil semifinals.
Photo: Icon Sport
Grêmio 1(4×3)1 Bahia
Grêmio defeats Bahia in a penalty shootout and advances to the Copa do Brasil semifinals.
Grêmio started the match better, putting pressure on Bahia, and at the 12th minute, after a corner kick, Carballo rose at the near post and forced a good save from Marcos Felipe.
At the 35th minute, Grêmio was awarded a penalty as Bittelo’s shot struck Acevedo’s arm. Cristaldo took the penalty kick with power, but Marcos Felipe made the save.
In the last minute of the first half, Everaldo scored a fantastic goal, evading the defender and placing the ball into the top corner from outside the box.
In the second half, Imortal continued to press and managed to equalize at the 26th minute through Villasanti. Ferreira made a beautiful play from the left, dribbled past Cicinho, and crossed the ball into the area for Villasanti to level the score.
A few minutes later, Vina missed an incredible chance. Reinaldo crossed the ball, and it fell to Vina alone at the penalty spot, but he shot over the bar.
Bahia responded by hitting the crossbar twice. First, at the 40th minute, Mugni received a beautiful long pass from Matheus Bahia and attempted a well-placed shot that deflected off the defense and hit the crossbar. Then, Acevedo set up Ademir, who arrived at the edge of the box, struck a powerful shot, and hit the crossbar.
In the penalty shootout, Bruno Alves and Bittelo missed for Grêmio, while Cicinho, Acevedo, and Gabriel Xavier failed to convert their penalties for Bahia, sending Imortal to another Copa do Brasil semifinal.
Grêmio will face Flamengo in the semifinals.
Photo: Lucas Uebel/Grêmio
Corinthians 3(3×1)2 América-MG
After losing 1-0 at Independência, Corinthians defeats América 3-2 at Neo Química Arena and secures the spot in the penalty shootout.
Corinthians started the game being bothered by América-MG’s strong marking, as even playing away, they pressed high and put pressure on the ball.
At the 24th minute, Róger Guedes took a shot from outside the box, and Pasinato made the save. The number 10 had a great chance at the 40th minute when he received a cross from Rojas and headed it onto the crossbar.
In the second half, Corinthians opened the scoring at the 2nd minute. Fagner crossed the ball, and Renato Augusto rose behind Marlon to score the first goal of the match.
Moscardo almost doubled the lead at the 6th minute with a powerful shot that went just wide of the post. In the next play, Renato Augusto set up Yuri Alberto with a clear chance on goal. The center-forward struck a firm shot, but Mateus Pasinato made a save with his face.
Timão extended their lead at the 19th minute. Róger Guedes found Ruan Oliveira infiltrating the box, and the midfielder struck a low cross for Yuri Alberto to slide and complete it.
América pulled one back at the 23rd minute with a fantastic goal from Benítez. The midfielder received a pass from Martínez at the edge of the box, controlled the ball with his back to the goal, turned, and finished into the top corner.
Corinthians scored their third goal at the 26th minute from a set piece. Gil rose higher than the defense from a corner kick and headed it, Róger Guedes read the play well and completed with a diving header.
América managed to stage a comeback with a beautiful play from Benítez. At the 37th minute, the Argentine dribbled past two defenders, combined with Martínez, and set up Mastriani to push the ball into the back of the net, taking the match to penalties.
In the penalty shootout, Marcinho missed, while Paulinho Boia and Benítez had their shots saved by Cássio. For Timão, only Adson missed, and Yuri Alberto converted the decisive penalty.
With this qualification, Corinthians will face São Paulo in the Copa do Brasil semifinals.
Foto: Fernando Roberto/UAI Fotos
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Written by Henry Miller.
