Fluminense and Sao Paulo played an exciting match at the Maracana stadium on Saturday evening in front of 40,000 fans. Fluminense came into the match sitting in 6th place in the Brazilian Serie A table, while Sao Paulo occupied 10th.
Fluminense started the stronger of the two teams, dominating possession in the opening 20 minutes. Their pressure told on 22 minutes when midfielder Giuliano opened the scoring with a well-struck finish from the edge of the box. 👏 Sao Paulo struggled to gain a foothold in the match and offered little in attack.
The visitors were forced into an early change when centre-back Diego Costa pulled up injured on the half-hour mark. 🤕His replacement, Rodolfo, slotted in comfortably but Sao Paulo's defensive frailties remained. Fluminense continued to press and almost grabbed a second through forwards Fred and Evanilson, who both saw shots well saved.
The second half began in similar fashion with Fluminense on top. Striker Fred was a constant nuisance for the Sao Paulo backline and created another opening just after the restart, but fired his effort narrowly wide of the target. 🎯 Sao Paulo knew they needed to improve and started seeing more of the ball, without really threatening the home goal.
Lightning struck for the visitors on 68 minutes when substitute Gabriel Sara whipped in a vicious cross from the left wing and former Fluminense man Luciano rose to power a header into the far corner. 😮 1-1. The goal breathed new life into Sao Paulo who grew in belief, while Fluminense looked rattled by the equaliser.
A late chance fell to Igor Gomes towards the end, but his stabbed effort was deflected inches wide. 😥 The full-time whistle blew with the scores locked at 1-1, a fair result in what had been an intense and competitive clash between two well-matched Brazilian sides. Both Fluminense and Sao Paulo will take a point from an entertaining game, with qualification for next season's Copa Libertadores very much still in their own hands. - https://mbscore.tv/match/fluminense-vs-sao-paulo-18791349