Palmeiras beats Bragantino and becomes leader of the Brasileirão
Verdão fell behind after conceding a goal from midfielder Gabriel in the first half, but came back stronger after the break and turned the game around with goals from Murilo and Maurício
Follow the leader
Palmeiras came from behind to beat Bragantino 2-1 on Sunday night, the 18th, at the Cícero de Souza Marques stadium in Bragança Paulista. With the victory, Verdão opened up a four-point lead at the top of the table and remains isolated in the lead of the Brazilian Championship after nine rounds. Murilo and Maurício scored the goals for Palmeiras. Midfielder Gabriel scored for Massa Bruta, who remain among the leaders of the competition.
Table
Palmeiras remains in the lead of the Brasileirão. With the victory, Verdão reached 22 points in nine games and opened up a four-point lead over Flamengo, second in the table. Bragantino remains among the leaders. It is third, with 17 points.
Agenda
The two teams will return to the field on Thursday, the 22nd, for the Copa do Brasil. Bragantino will host Criciúma at 9:30 pm. Before that, at 7:30 pm, Palmeiras will face Ceará. For the Brasileirão, Verdão will face Flamengo next Sunday, the 25th, at 4 pm, in São Paulo. Massa Bruta will be on the field a day later, at 8 pm, when they will host Juventude.
First half
In a first half without many opportunities, Bragantino got the better of Palmeiras. The first chance fell to Verdão in the 7th minute. Flaco López saw Cleiton ahead and tried to surprise the Massa Bruta goalkeeper with a lob, who made the save. In the 22nd minute, the first goal of the half. Lucas Barbosa did a good job as a pivot and passed the ball to Gabriel, who scored and opened the scoring. Weverton had no chance. Massa Bruta would still threaten again with a counterattack in the final stretch. Vinicinho was released, cut past a defender and shot from outside the area, but Weverton made a good save.
Second half
Palmeiras came back stronger in the second half and managed to push Bragantino back into the defense. With Luighi and Maurício on the field, Verdão increased the pace and managed to equalize in the 28th minute in an aerial game. Murilo jumped highest after a corner kick and scored the equalizer. Excited, Verdão kept pressing and shortly after, in the 32nd minute, turned the game around with Maurício. The ball fell to the forward, who shot with his left foot to turn the game around. After the goals, Palmeiras controlled the game, had another chance with Maurício and was not scared by Bragantino.
