Portuguesa wins Bragantino and celebrates 1st victory in Paulistão

paulistão

Goalkeeper Cleiton, from RBB, took a chicken at 53 seconds of the first half

With two goals from Bruno Leonardo and one from Paraizo, A Portuguesa conquered this Saturday (21), the first victory in its return to Paulistão, after eight years of absence. The victory left Lusa with four points in Group D, also made up of São Bernardo, Palmeiras and Santo André. Red Bull Bragantino, in turn, suffered the first defeat, with zero goals, and is left with four points in Group A, formed by Botafogo, Santos and Inter de Limeira.

The game had barely started and Portuguesa took the lead thanks to a chicken by goalkeeper Cleiton. After lifting in the area, defender Bruno Leonardo headed towards the goal. Cleiton crouched down, but the ball bounced, touched his shoulder and went sideways to the nets, at 53 seconds.

The goal reassured the home team, who retreated and knew how to defend themselves well, giving Bragantino no chance of finishing. The visitor’s only real chance came in the 35th minute, when Artur, inside the area, took out two players with a body dribble and was left alone to finish on the penalty spot. The move that could lead to the equalizing goal turned into a disappointment, because the attacker hit the ball a lot and it went up.

It was up to Portuguesa to show their efficiency by increasing the score in the 40th minute. Hurtado tried to clear the ball with his left foot, but ended up making a pass to the clever Paraizo. He protected the ball, invaded the area and hit cross: 2 to 0.

In the second half, Bragantino came back more advanced and Portuguesa maintained its posture of exploiting the counterattacks. In this way, Lusa almost extended at 18 minutes. After crossing the right side, the ball was left on the other side for Gustavo Bochecha who, alone, kicked Cleiton’s defense with his left foot. Two minutes later, Paraízo shot alone and was grabbed by the shirt by Natan: foul and expulsion. The visitor was left with one player less and with no prospect of seeking a draw.

The situation got worse in the 30th minute when Lusa’s third goal came out. Pará took a free kick on the left side, lifting the ball in the area. Defender Bruno Leonardo went up more than everyone else and dodged with his head. Goalkeeper Cleiton watched the ball enter his left side. With a large advantage on the scoreboard, Portuguesa valued possession of the ball and waited for time to pass, aware that they had satisfied their demanding crowd.

For the fourth round, Portuguesa will face São Paulo, Thursday, at 21:30, in Morumbi. Meanwhile, Red Bull Bragantino will attempt rehabilitation against Ferroviária, in Bragança, on Wednesday, at 7 pm.

*With information from Gazeta Esportiva

Read more:

Athletico-PR and Botafogo measure forces in search of a vacancy in Libertadores

Fighter from Amazonas wins bronze at the Jiu-Jitsu Sport Championship in São Paulo

Verdão faces Tricolor in the first Paulistão derby