Athletico achieves a comeback, beats Grêmio and advances in the Copinha

O Athletico won the Guild 5-3, in a spectacular turnaround, this Tuesday (16), at the José Lancha Filho Municipal Stadium, in Franca, in the interior of São Paulo, and guaranteed a place in the quarterfinals of the São Paulo Junior Football Cup 2024.

The team from Rio Grande do Sul started the match better than Furacão and opened the scoring after 11 minutes, with a beautiful goal from Gustavo Nunes, after an individual play. At 21, Alisson crossed from the right for number 10, Cheron, to extend the ball for Grêmio.

The red-black coach had a bad start, Caco Espinoza, changing the team in the 22nd minute of the initial stage. Midfielder João Araújo left for midfielder João Cruz to enter. The tactical change had an immediate effect and would change the course of the match.

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At 27, Lucca crossed from the right and center forward Wallace reduced the score for Athletico. Furacão followed better and, in the final stage, sought a quick turnaround. In the 2nd minute, João Cruz served Chiqueti, who crossed the ball to equalize.

At 4, João Cruz again participated in the play and served Chiqueti, who saved the goalkeeper. On the rebound, midfielder Biro turned. At 32, after a counterattack, it was up to João Cruz himself to hit from outside the area, score and crown an excellent performance.

At 40, Grêmio still decreases with Riquelme, after hitting and rebounding in the area. The match promised Grêmio pressure and took on dramatic contours. But, at 47, João Gomes crossed for Keven to score Furacão’s fifth and close the score.

Now, in the next phase, Rubro-Negro faces Grêmio Novorizontino, who eliminated São Paulo in the round of 16.

Furacão qualified in the group stage in second place, with two wins (Sparta and Portuguesa-RJ) and one defeat (Catanduva). Then, in the second phase, they eliminated Tanabi on penalties. In the next stage, they eliminated Ponte Preta 2-1, in a third phase duel.

This is Athletico’s 28th participation in the Copinha. The best campaign in history was the runner-up in 2009. In the last edition, the club was eliminated by Floresta-CE on penalties, still in the round of 16.