Vitória defeats Fortaleza and is five-time champion of the Copa do Nordeste

Vitória became champion of the Copa do Nordeste this Saturday (6). In the return game of the final of the regional competition, in Barradão, the Bahian team beat Fortaleza 2-1 and secured the tournament title for the fifth time.

In the first leg, Leão da Barra beat their opponent by a score of 2-1. The Ceará team took the lead in the second match, thanks to Luiz Fernando's header. Later, Emmanuel Martínez scored a great goal and sent the victory in favor of the Salvador team. In the end, Renato Kayzer closed the aggregate score at 4-2.

With the fifth championship, Vitória equaled rival Bahia and became the biggest winner of the Copa do Nordeste. The club also lifted the cup in the 1997, 1999, 2003 and 2010 editions. Fortaleza, in turn, achieved three victories, achieved in 2019, 2022 and 2024.

Now, Leão da Barra only returns to the pitch after the World Cup break. On the way back, the team faces Vasco, in a match valid for the 19th round of the Brasileirão. The Ceará team will enter the field in Série B next Tuesday (9), at 7pm (Brasília time), when they face Náutico.

The game
Needing a result, Fortaleza went on the attack from the start of the match. And the attitude paid off. In the 27th minute, midfielder Rodriguinho crossed just enough for center forward Luiz Fernando to score with a header. Vitória found the net in the final stretch of the first half, with center forward Renê, but the referee signaled an offside.

Then, the duel was quite truncated in the second half, with few clear scoring opportunities on either side. The Bahian team had a great chance in the 26th minute, when Renê tried to cover and forced goalkeeper João Ricardo to make a great save.

In the next move, winger Erick took the low corner and the ball went to the feet of Emmanuel Martínez. The Argentine midfielder got his foot in the door, finished in the corner of the opponent's goal and tied the match. Behind on the aggregate score, Leão do Pici went on the attack in search of taking the game to penalty kicks.

Despite Fortaleza's effort, it was Vitória who scored once again at home. Striker Renato Kayzer received a free kick, fired at speed and hit a cross to define the result: 2 to 1.

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Source: CNN