2023-10-04 03:41:00
The first finalist of the Copa Sudamericana was defined. Fortaleza beat Corinthians 2-0 in the second semifinal played at the Castelao Stadium and after 1-1 in the first leg, they qualified for a decisive stage of an international tournament for the first time in their history. The team led by Argentine Juan Pablo Vojvoda won with goals from Yago Pikachu and Tinga in the complement that gave the team from northern Brazil the ticket to the last match of the tournament.
The local team managed to impose its game as a result of its pressure against an opponent who had possession of the ball, but it was a long time in its field. Little by little Fortaleza tilted the field and approached the Timao area, which never felt comfortable in the match. At the dawn of the second half, Fortaleza opened the scoring: in the 49th minute, Pikachu got out of position inside the area, but managed to connect a half turn that overcame the resistance of goalkeeper Cássio. The advantage was deserved and until that moment the São Paulo team had not done much.
With the calm of the goal, six minutes later Fortaleza went for the second goal that would allow it to settle the dispute and achieved it through a perfect Tinga header that put it unmarked at the far post. Cássio flew, but could not prevent the second fall of his fence.
The celebration of Fortaleza’s second goal. (Photo by JL ROSA / AFP)
Later, Fortaleza slowed down and retreated into their field. Corinthians got closer, but had no depth to hurt. Nor did Matías Rojas or Ángel Romero manage to be the drivers for the San Pablo team, which did not find the way to reverse the result. At home, the Argentine Tomás Pochettino and Juan Lucero were starters; while Imanol Machuca entered in the second half. Gonzalo Escobar and Silvio Romero did not add minutes.
Corinthians’ present is not good either in the Brasileirao where today it is outside the qualification zone for the international cups since it is in 13th place. Fortaleza is currently qualifying for the next Copa Sudamericana as it is ninth. On the next date, Timao will host Flamengo, on Saturday from 9 pm. Those from Vojvoda, for their part, will do the same with América MG, on Sunday from 6:30 pm.
Fortaleza struck the blow because it left behind a giant of its country. He only won state tournaments and qualified for his first international final. He debuted in the South American field in the 2020 Copa Sudamericana and then played in the 2022 and 2023 Copa Libertadores.
In the other semifinal, Defensa y Justicia will go for the feat this Wednesday against Liga de Quito, which won 3-0 in the first leg, taking advantage of the altitude. From 7 p.m. at the Ciudad de Lanús-Néstor Díaz Pérez Stadium. El Halcón will have to come back to try to get into its second final in this competition that it won in the 2020 edition.
The long-awaited final will be played on Saturday, October 28, at the Domingo Burgueño Miguel Stadium in Punta del Este, Uruguay.
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