With one less, Palmeiras beats Chapecoense and increases the advantage in the Brasileirão
Even with important absences and one player less since the end of the first half, Palmeiras overcame adversity and beat Chapecoense 1-0 this Sunday (31), at Allianz Parque, in the 18th round of the Brazilian Championship. The winning goal was scored by Paulinho.
With the result, Abel Ferreira's team increased their lead in the competition and gained 41 points. Chapecoense, in turn, remains at the bottom, with nine points.
How the game went
Palmeiras started the match more creative and with more ball possession. The first chance came after five minutes, when Allan found Luighi inside the area. The attacker finished from the right, but stopped in the defense of goalkeeper Anderson.
As time passed, the pace of the match decreased, and the black and white club began to find it difficult to infiltrate the opponent's defense and make the last pass.
One of the best opportunities of the first half came in the 34th minute. Allan regained possession in midfield and took off at speed, leaving the Chapecoense defense behind until he was brought down. With an advantage in the play, the midfielder got up, invaded the area and finished, but Anderson made the save.
The situation became complicated for the São Paulo team in the 43rd minute, when Allan received a straight red card after stamping on Giovanni Augusto. Chapecoense's number 10 fell complaining of pain and left the pitch limping.
The team from Santa Catarina tried to take advantage of the numerical advantage even before the break and got scared in the 46th minute. Bolaise finished dangerously, close to the post defended by Marcelo Lomba.
Even with one less player, Palmeiras returned to the second half more willing than Chapecoense. In the seventh minute, Felipe Anderson took a risk from outside the area, but the ball went over the crossbar. At 14, Riquelme received the ball on the left and finished low, facilitating Anderson's defense.
Alviverde's insistence was rewarded in the 19th minute. Paulinho received the ball from Felipe Anderson at the edge of the area, came face to face with the goalkeeper and hit a cross into the corner to open the scoring at Allianz Parque.
Chapecoense responded soon after. Rafael Carvalheira took a risk from outside the area and released a bomb, but the ball went over the end line, to the left of the goal defended by Lomba.
In stoppage time, the visiting team evened the score with Ítalo, but the goal was disallowed due to a lack of attack. Soon after, the referee returned to the VAR and signaled a penalty for Khellven against Neto Pessoa.
In the last shot of the game, Bolasie shot at the crossbar, and Palmeiras won 1-0 at home.
Next round
The 19th round of the Brazilian Championship will only be played after the end of the World Cup. Palmeiras faces Coritiba, while Chapecoense faces Flamengo.
Leila Pereira is direct about Abel's possible departure from Palmeiras
Source: CNN