In a duel for leadership of the Brazilian Championship, Palmeiras beat São Paulo 1-0 on Saturday night (21), at Morumbis, with a goal from Jhon Arias. With the result, Abel Ferreira’s team takes the isolated lead of the competition, with 19 points, 3 more than tonight’s rivals, runners-up in the competition.
The visitors took the lead after just six minutes of play, with a beautiful goal. Arias received it from Flaco López in the middle, advanced alone and finished from outside the area, with no chance for Rafael.
Playing at home, São Paulo had more of the ball in the first half, but Palmeira scared Palmeiras’s counterattacks. At 29, Allan entered the area and crossed from the right, but no one was able to deflect it into the goal.
Roger Machado’s team had no dangerous moves in the first stage. It only ended in the 39th minute, with Luciano, who, from outside the area, shot out.
The home team came back better after the break, and Palmeiras started the second half struggling to get out of their defense and missing many passes.
São Paulo circled the Palmeiras area and crossed, but without much efficiency. At 2.04m tall, goalkeeper Carlos Miguel easily intercepted attempts from above.
Still, Roger Machado’s team was unable to create clear chances, and the game was tepid, —Palmeiras only finished twice, both in stoppage time, and São Paulo only did so once in the second half— and the hottest event was the expulsion of coach Abel Ferreira, in the 34th minute. The Portuguese received his second yellow card after blatantly complaining about a foul in Palmeiras’ attack.
This Sunday’s victory increases Palmeiras’ series of consecutive victories. There are already three (in the previous two matches, they beat Mirassol 1-0 and Botafogo 2-1. Both games were at home). Furthermore, the team expanded a taboo against tonight’s rivals, from whom they have not lost since July 2023.
On the other hand, the defeat sounds a warning for São Paulo, who had already lost to Atlético-MG 1-0, in Belo Horizonte, in the previous round.
Palmeiras’ next match is against Grêmio, at home, on April 1st. São Paulo’s is in Porto Alegre, against Internacional, on the same date. The two games are for the Brazilian Championship.
