Since the day before, Cruzeiro already knew that the symbolic title of champion of the first round of Serie B of the Brazilian Championship was guaranteed, since Vasco – defeated on Saturday (16) by Sampaio Corrêa – could no longer achieve it. This Sunday (17), the Minas Gerais team gave fans more reasons to celebrate by beating Novorizontino 2-1, at Mineirão, and opening a seven-point advantage in the leadership of the competition at the end of the 18th round. The team has 41 points. Adriano and Rafa Silva scored for Raposa and Quirino scored the goal for the São Paulo team.
THE RECORD SEARCHERS!
With goals from Adriano and Rafa Silva, @Cruise wins another one in front of their fans and is one victory away from having the best campaign in the history of the first round!#CRUxNOV pic.twitter.com/JwxaUfm2YG
— Brasileirão SportingBet – Serie B (@BrasileiraoB) July 17, 2022
Even after the elimination to Fluminense in the Copa do Brasil last Tuesday (12), the crowd attended the Mineirão, which had an audience of more than 46 thousand people. The visiting team started better, but it was Cruzeiro that took the lead. At 20 minutes, after a cross from the right, the ball crossed the area and found Adriano free. He headed in the counterfoot of goalkeeper Lucas Frigeri and scored. The goal took five minutes to be validated, after checking the VAR for possible deviation from the parents that would characterize the offside of the scorer.
In the second half, Novorizontino, which was not performing as well as in the first half, ended up getting the tie. At 28, Quirino was launched from the right, advanced to practically the bottom line, cut the marking and kicked in the left corner of goalkeeper Rafael Cabral to equalize.
IT’S CELESTIAL PARTY HERE IN MINEIRON! ??
? @pedro_josecg / Cruise pic.twitter.com/0tYMZGIJkc
— Cruise ? (@Cruzeiro) July 17, 2022
However, ten minutes later, the Fox was ahead of the score again. Rafa Silva, who had entered about 15 minutes before, received on the right and kicked at almost no angle, close to the baseline. Lucas Frigeri left the corner open and ended up winning.
The 2-1 triumph also meant a recovery in Serie B, since in the last round Cruzeiro had been defeated by Guarani. The team’s next appointment is against CSA, in Maceió, on Wednesday (20). On the same day, Novorizontino – 11th with 23 points – welcomes Operário.
END OF GAME IN THE AFFLICTED! With goals from Léo and Xandão, we won a major victory at Estádio do Aflitos! CELEBRATE, FAN!#VamosChape pic.twitter.com/5txoeMT4sa
— Chapecoense (@ChapecoenseReal) July 17, 2022
Chapecoense defeats Náutico and leaves the Z-4
In Recife, Náutico and Chapecoense entered the field under pressure, as both started the game inside the relegation zone. Chapecoense ended up getting the best, in a comeback, by 2 to 1. All the goals were scored in the second stage. Geuvânio – former athlete of the Santa Catarina team – opened the scoring for Timbu and Léo and Xandão managed to revert to Chape. With the result, Chapecó’s team jumped to 13th place, with 21 points. With three less, within the Z-4, the Náutico is the 18th. In the next round, the two teams play in the fourth: Timbu visits Ponte Preta and Chape receives Guarani.
