Strength secured this Thursday the pass to the semifinals of South American Cup after clearly winning the return match at America Mineiro 2-1, with goals from Guilherme and Marinho. With their victory, the team led by Argentine Juan Vojvoda became the first from the Northeast region, the country’s toughest, to advance to the South American semifinals, where they will face the mighty Corinthians, also from Brazil.
Guilherme scored the first goal with a header for Fortaleza in the 21st minute, thanks to an assist from Tinga, and from then on the tricolor team dominated the rest of the first half against an América Mineiro with little reaction capacity.
In the second half, América increased their possession, but it was difficult for them to overcome the Fortaleza defense and convert it into scoring opportunities. In contrast, Fortaleza mounted counter-attacks that culminated in the team’s second goal on 65 minutes, this time from Marinho, who sent the ball into the back of the goal after the goalkeeper saved the first attempt.
A few minutes later, the referee annulled the third team goal because striker Lucero was offside. With the game seemingly under Fortaleza’s control, América Mineiro was stunned by a goal from Breno in the 89th minute, but the referee blew the whistle to end the game before the scoreboard could even turn.
The result confirmed Fortaleza’s good feeling in the first leg a week ago, when they beat América 3-1. Outside of South America, the Northeast team is having a good season in the Brazilian championship, where it occupies eighth place with nine wins, seven losses and five draws.
Unlike Fortaleza, América Mineiro, also owned by Fabián Bustos from Argentina, is having a bad time in the league, where it is at the bottom of the standings with 13 losses, three wins and four draws, and there is a high probability of relegation.
DATA SHEET
2 – Strength: João Ricardo, Tinga, Brítez, Titi, Bruno Pacheco, José Welison, Pedro Augusto (m.80, Lucas Crispim), Pochettino (m.64, Thiago Galhardo), Marinho (m.76, Yago Pikachu), Lucero (m. 74, Silvio Romero), Guilherme (m.64, Machuca)
Instructor: John Vojvoda
1 – America Mineiro: Matheus Cavichioli, Mateus Henrique (m.80, Paulinho), Júlio, Éder, Burgos, Rodriguinho (m.79, Samuel), Javier Méndez, Alê (m.76, Matheusinho), Mastriani, Paulinho Bóia (m.59, Rodrigo Varanda), Everaldo (m.55, Breno)
Coach: Fabian Bustos
Referee: Felipe González is Chilean. He advised Marinho and Pedro Augusto, from Fortaleza, and Javier Méndez, Everaldo and Rodriguinho, from América Mineiro
Incidents: Second leg match for the quarterfinals of the Copa Sudamericana between Fortaleza and América Mineiro, played at the Castelão stadium in Fortaleza before 56,916 spectators
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
