Palmeiras started the match on top of Sport. In the first five minutes, Verdão had chances with Mayke, Willian and Lucas Lima.
However, it was their opponents who opened the scoring. Sport drew first blood and broke the deadlock early on thanks to a goal from Iago Maidana. Palmeiras then secured a quick comeback via goals from Willian and Zé Rafael. Both goals were scored in the space of only 13 minutes.
However, Lucas Mugni tied the game late on for both sides to take a point home in what could be described as a fair result. Elsewhere, both teams finished the game with ten men following the expulsions of Sander and Zé Rafael himself.
The result is bitter for Verdão, who wasted the chance to move behind a point of leaders Inter, even with one game less.
Regardless, they maintain their feat as the only unbeaten team in the Brazilian Championship so far.
For most of the game, Palmeiras had the match under control, until Sander Henrique got his marching orders. That decision was very strongly contested by Verdão.
With 17 points, Vanderlei Luxemburgo’s side is in sixth place, three from Colorado. Sport boast a tally of 11 points and are further below in 14th place.
Palmeiras return to the field on Wednesday, but for the Libertadores. Verdão faces Bolívar on the return of the competition in Bolivia. On the other hand, Sport will see their next outing next Sunday against Fluminense in Recife. That same day Palmeiras will visit Grêmio in Porto Alegre for a game valid for the eleventh round of the Brazilian Championship.
