Index
Palmeiras steamrolls Deportivo Pereira and sets course for a potential 4th consecutive semifinal.
Deportivo Pereira 0x4 Palmeiras
From the start of the match, Palmeiras had control over all the actions. They capitalized on the opponent’s glaring errors and were relentless in the first half, scoring 3 goals in 11 minutes and sealing the contest.
Despite receiving strong support from the local fans, the Colombians were visibly nervous. In the 8th minute of the game, Veiga took a corner kick from the right, Quintana came out to clear the ball after deflections, and the rebound ended up with Dudu. The opposing goalkeeper himself pursued the Palmeiras’ number 7 and nearly handled the ball outside the box.
In the 12th minute, Rony provided a beautiful back-heel pass to Dudu, who dribbled past the defender, entered the box, and crossed the ball, but it was cleared for a corner kick.
In the 19th minute, Vásquez missed the ball when attempting to clear it at the edge of the area and ended up bringing down Rony right on the line. The referee initially signaled a foul, but after consulting the VAR, awarded a penalty. Raphael Veiga took the shot, placing it into the far corner and opening the path to the Palmeiras rout.
Palmeiras extended their lead with a beautiful team play in the 31st minute. Veiga skillfully lifted the ball over a defender and drew a foul, but advantage was given. Marcos Rocha passed to Rony at the top of the penalty area, who turned and played it back to the full-back. Rocha then entered the box and calmly slotted the ball past the goalkeeper. Initially, the linesman raised the flag for offside, but the VAR intervened, drawing the lines and confirming the goal.
Deportivo Pereira was disoriented and conceded their third goal just 2 minutes later. During a goal kick, Rony dispossessed Quintero and the ball fell to Mayke. He passed it to Veiga, near the penalty spot, who then set up Dudu. Showing composure, the number 7 executed a precise cross for Mayke to tap into the net.
Upon the lineup’s announcement, Palmeiras fans weren’t pleased with Mayke’s selection over Artur, but they had to acknowledge Abel Ferreira’s genius after the full-back’s stellar performance as a winger.
The three-time Libertadores champions were unstoppable and nearly secured their 4th goal at the end of the first half. In the 44th minute, Zé Rafael stole the ball and initiated a counter-attack, passed to Veiga, who entered the box and shot wide, but he was perhaps a bit selfish as he could have passed to Rony for an easy finish.
Upon returning for the second half, Deportivo Pereira created their best opportunity of the match, right in the first minute. Angelo Rodríguez received the ball as a pivot inside the box, turned past Murilo, and struck the ball across the goal. Weverton denied the home team from pulling one back with a foot save.
In the 21st minute, Ramírez launched a powerful free-kick from long range, and Weverton pushed it out for a corner.
Palmeiras sealed the emphatic victory in the 36th minute. Murilo played an exquisite through ball to Rony, who displayed composure to slot it past the goalkeeper and complete the scoring.
Photo: Raul Arboleda/AFP
Botafogo 1×1 Defensa y Justicia
Botafogo takes the field with substitutes, takes the lead, but concedes the draw at Engenhão.
Despite playing with substitutes due to the Brazilian Championship, Botafogo started the match better, creating the best opportunities. In the 11th minute, Matheus Nascimento evaded the defender and took a shot from outside the box, but was stopped by goalkeeper Bologna.
Lucas Fernandes posed a threat with his shots. First, with a long-range attempt that aimed for the corner but went wide, and later with a clear chance in the 34th minute. The midfielder had a solo shot inside the box, but Bologna made a great save.
In the 38th minute, Victor Sá found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but his attempt to pass the ball backwards was cleared by the defense.
Botafogo opened the scoring in the 10th minute of the second half. Tchê Tchê sent a cross to Gabriel Pires’ head, who finished by sending the ball past the goalkeeper. The ball hit the post before finding the back of the net.
Botafogo continued to dominate the game but had a scare in the 29th minute. Togni received a splendid long pass, controlled the ball, entered the box, and took a shot across the goal. The ball narrowly missed the far post, with Gatito watching.
Defensa y Justicia equalized at the 32nd minute. Nicolás Fernández took a long shot from midfield, and Gatito palmed it into the middle of the box. In the aftermath, the goalkeeper performed a miracle save on Tripichio’s shot, but the ball hit Víctor Cuesta and rebounded to the same player, who simply tapped it in to level the match.
The result didn’t please the fans, who booed the alvinegro team after the final whistle.
Foto: EFE/Antonio Lacerda
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Written by Henry Miller.
