Cruzeiro managed to draw against Fortaleza, this Wednesday (17th) at Arena Castelão, by scoring in stoppage time. A goal early on, from Hércules, gave the home team victory in the second round of the Brazilian Championship, until Mateus Vital made it 1-1.
Raposa played a game in which they created chances before tying. João Marcelo, Rafa Silva, Gabriel Veron and Rafael Elias, at their best, finishing almost from close range to save the rival goalkeeper’s reflex, ended up almost. Leão do Pici also had some opportunities, in addition to the goal, in a very busy game.
Shortly before tying, Raposa had ten players left on the field, after Lucas Romero was sent off.
The Minas Gerais club maintains its unbeaten record in the Brasileirão, as it had beaten Botafogo in its debut, at the weekend, in the Mineirão, by 3-2. Fortaleza, also undefeated and with the same four points, is sixth.
The game
Cruzeiro started the game trying to maintain possession of the ball, but scared the fans every time they tried to play with a lateral pass on the goal kick. On two occasions the ball almost escaped the defender and fell to a Fortaleza attacker.
The first good chance belonged to Raposa. Matheus Pereira took a corner from the left, at the height of the small area line. Rafa Silva headed the ball with great force, but goalkeeper João Ricardo blocked it and avoided the goal.
Little by little, Leão do Pici gained more possession of the ball, and imposed speed, especially with Yago Pikachu on the right. With 18 minutes, Pochettino took a corner from the right, the ball deflected off the defense and fell to Hércules, at the edge of the area. The midfielder caught it first time, with his right leg, in Anderson’s corner, opening the score.
At the end of the first half, Cruzeiro improved and had two good chances. First with João Marcelo, with a header after a cross, and then with Rafa Silva, in a tackle inside the area, completing Arthur Gomes’ great play on the left.
VAR came into action at the beginning of the second half. The Cruzeiro fans asked for a touch on the arm of full-back Tinga, but when Bruno Mota Correia went to the monitor to analyze an offside by Matheus Pereira, it was identified, nullifying any possibility of a penalty.
Another good chance for Raposa in the game came with Gabriel Veron, two minutes after the player came on for Ramiro. Matheus Pereira put the attacker in João Ricardo’s face, but Veron kicked it out.
The best opportunity came in the 32nd minute, and João Ricardo performed a miracle. Marlon received it on the left and crossed for Rafael Elias, who anticipated the marker and headed it with great force, but the goalkeeper sent it upwards, on reflex. On the rebound, the ball hit and returned to Joao Ricardo’s arms.
In the equalizing goal, Robert received it from Marlon, went after the marker, invaded the area, shared the ball and managed to cross back. The ball was left on the penalty spot, and Vital scored to equalize.
Upcoming games
Cruzeiro has the classic against Atlético-MG next Saturday (20), at Arena MRV, in the third round of the Brasileirão. The game will be at 9pm (Brasília time).
On Sunday (21) Fortaleza will face Altos, from Piauí, at Arena Castelão, at 7pm (Brasília time), in a unique clash for the quarter-finals of the Copa do Nordeste. The away match against Criciúma, in Série A, was postponed and a date has not yet been set.
Fortaleza 1 x 1 Cruzeiro
Fortaleza: John Richard; Tinga, Britez, Titi and Bruno Pacheco; Zé Welison (Pedro Augusto), Hercules and Pochettino (Lucas Sasha); Yago Pikachu (Marinho), Star (Renato Kayzer) and Machuca (Moses). Technician: John Paul Vojvoda.
Cruise: Anderson; William, Neris (Robert), João Marcelo and Marlon; Lucas Romero, Ramiro (Gabriel Veron), Lucas Silva (Mateus Vital) and Matheus Pereira; Arthur Gomes (Barreal) and Rafa Silva (Rafael Elias). Coach: Fernando Seabra.
Goals: Hércules (18min1ºT) for Fortaleza/ Mateus Vital (43min2ºT) for Cruzeiro.
Yellow Cards: Lucas Romero (Cruzeiro)
Red Card: Lucas Romero (Cruzeiro)
Total audience: 22,131 present
Gross income: R$ 209,448.00
Reason: 2nd round of Series A of the Brazilian Championship
Date and time: April 17, 2024 (Wednesday), at 8pm (Brasília time)
Location: Arena Castelão, in Fortaleza
Referee: Bruno Mota Correia (RJ)
Assistants: Leone Carvalho Rocha (GO) and Carlos Henrique Alves de Lima Filho (RJ)
Video referee (VAR): Rodrigo Nunes de Sá (Fifa-RJ)
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This content was originally created in Itatiaia.
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