Botafogo defeated Palmeiras 2-1 at home in the first leg of the Copa Libertadores round of 16. The outcome of this matchup, one of the most intense of this stage, will be determined next week at Allianz Parque.
All the excitement occurred in the first half. The scoring opened in the 22nd minute when Luiz Henrique got ahead of the defense and anticipated goalkeeper Weverton to head in a great cross from Igor Jesus.
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Amid the momentum from the goal, Palmeiras quickly responded to level the score in the 33rd minute. A good offensive transition after recovering the ball through high pressing allowed Rony to combine with Mauricio, who, inside the area, sent a shot that found a weak response from goalkeeper Jhon.
Six minutes before the end of the first half, the goal that sealed the result came. The scorer was Igor Jesus, named the best player of the night, who, close to the goal line and with almost no angle, took a low shot that went into the net.
The tie between these two Brazilian teams, favorites for the title due to the strength of their squads, will be decided on August 21 in São Paulo. The return match will be at 9:30 PM (Brasília time).
Fortaleza drew away in the Sudamericana
The other Brazilian team in action in continental tournaments was Fortaleza, one of the sensations of the Brasileirão. Led by Juan Pablo Vojvoda, they struck quickly against Rosario Central in Argentina during the round of 16 of the Copa Sudamericana with a goal from Marinho just 2 minutes into the game.
The forward took a free kick from a distance that was meant to be a cross, but it went directly into the goal, slipping over goalkeeper Jorge Broun. At the Gigante de Arroyito stadium, the locals equalized four minutes later with a goal from their left-back, Agustín Sández.
The return leg to seek a place in the quarterfinals will be on August 21 at 7 PM (Brasília time) at Arena Castelão. At their stadium, Fortaleza has gone 18 matches unbeaten, with their last defeat occurring on May 23 in a match for the Copa do Nordeste.
