Fluminense started the week in the best possible way: they won away from home and a striker scored their first goals of the season. On Tuesday night (12/2), Tricolor das Laranjeiras defeated Gremio 2 x 1 in the Arena, thanks to Everson Sotildo. He also scored the second goal for Rio.
The two teams continue to fight for the Copa Libertadores da América. Fluminense, which is in fifth place, is trying to go directly to the group stage of the continental competition, but it is not yet guaranteed. Gremio, in 10th place, will hope that Fluminense or Cruzeiro will win the Brazilian Cup, which would open up another place in the Brazilian league.
The goal came after careful build-up. Samuel Xavier passed with high quality to Luciano Acosta, who received it between the lines and executed a quick, vertical pass. The touch dismantled Grêmio’s defense and found Soteldo free.
The Venezuelan, invoking the famous “law of the former”, finished the ball low after a mistake by Thiago Volpe, who was unable to catch the ball.
Before the end that opened the scoring, Gremio showed more intensity and sought to speed up the game. Gustavo Martins made one of his best moves yet, winning the ball back in a sprint and prodding Fritz on his way out. But the play did not develop, and in the next counterattack Fluminense were lethal.
The move was also reviewed by VAR, which analyzed the possibility of Sotildo being offside. After a short check, the goal was confirmed, increasing the team’s confidence for the rest of the duel.
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With the advantage on the scoreboard, Fluminense controlled the match, showed tactical organization and remained dangerous even away from home. On the other hand, Gremio showed lapses in defense and continued to look for adjustments to balance the performance.
In the 27th minute, Pavon had Gremio’s best chance of the match, with a cross shot blocked by Fabio. At the end of the first half, Pavon sent a cross again for Andre Henrique to finish and leave everything as it was, but the referee indicated that the striker was offside.
The second half
The second half started electric at the Arena, and it didn’t take Fluminense long to expand. In the 6th minute, Serna quickly advanced from the left side and activated Yves, who passed it to Sotildo.
The movement opened up the perfect space for the Venezuelan to appear free on the right flank and finish the match with precision, scoring his second goal of the match and putting Tricolor in a comfortable lead: 2 x 0.
But Gremio’s response came quickly. Two minutes later, in the eighth minute, Willian curled in a corner kick at the first post and Andre Henrique rose above the Tricolor defense to head home powerfully and score.
The goal lit up the stadium and restored the spirits of the Rio Grande do Sul team, which had already rehearsed the reaction at the start of the stage, when Andre slammed a pen into Fritz’s face and almost scored immediately, sparking applause from the crowd.
Before the goals, the pace was already intense. Grêmio tried to increase their speed through the wings, while Fluminense tried to take advantage of the counter-attack with the Soteldo player constantly causing problems for the opposition defence.
Rio Grande do Sul’s hat-trick continued and they had a few scoring chances, especially with three corner kicks in stoppage time, but nothing changed on the scoreboard.
Upcoming games
Fluminense hosts Bahia at the Maracanã, in the final round of the Brazilian League, on Sunday (12/7), at 4pm. Gremio will face Sport, on the same day and time, on Ilha do Retiro.