Fortaleza won the first game of the 2024 edition of the Northeast Cup final. The 2-0 score against CRB, at Arena Castelão, on Wednesday night (5), gives a good advantage to the Leão do Pici, who can be champions even if they lose by one goal in the match on Sunday (9), at Rei Pelé, in Maceió.
If CRB wins the game by two goals, the title decision will be through penalty shootouts. Moisés and Lucero scored the goals at Castelão and left Fortaleza very close to their third Northeast Cup title.
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Fortaleza dominated most of the match. In the 35th minute of the first half, Moisés received the ball in midfield and got past João Pedro, Fábio Alemão, and Falcão, shooting across the goal. The ball hit the crossbar, deflected off goalkeeper Matheus Albino, and went out of bounds. The play fired up the fans, who were having a great celebration in the stadium.
Five minutes later, in a moment of inattention by the CRB defense, Moisés took advantage of a slip by Fábio Alemão and scored with the goalkeeper coming out: 1-0.
The Galo de Campina felt the blow, although they attempted a reaction. But the cold shower came in the added time of the first half, when Tinga crossed from the right and Lucero finished it off with agility: 2-0.
In the second half, Fortaleza continued to be the better team and could have extended the lead. Twice, Lucero found himself in front of the goalkeeper but wasted the chances. Thanks to two great saves by Matheus Albino.
Remembering Zagallo
Sambafoot Series launched a new documentary about the football legend Zagallo. Known as ‘Velho Lobo‘ and as superstitious as it gets, Zagallo helped shape what Brazilian football is nowadays — as a player and as a coach.
Binge the full series, available on Sambafoot’s Youtube channel.
