Fluminense went ahead of Fortaleza in the quarterfinals of the Copa do Brasil. This Thursday (28), Tricolor Carioca beat Leão do Pici 1-0, at Arena Castelão, in the first leg of the confrontation.
The second game will be on August 17, a Wednesday, at 8 pm (Brasilia time), at Maracanã. The team from Rio de Janeiro has the advantage of the tie. Cearenses need to win by two or more goals in normal time. If in the sum of the results, at the end of the next 90 minutes, the teams are tied, the classified to the semifinals will be known on penalties.
Even away from home, Fluminense commanded the actions of the first half. In the 26th minute, midfielder Nonato sent a backheel pass from midfielder Paulo Henrique Ganso to the net, but the goal was disallowed, with the intervention of the video referee (VAR), for lack of Germán Cano in the also forward Róbson, in the origin of the throw. At 34, Nonato took advantage of another back-heel assist, this time from Cano, to, this time, put Tricolor ahead.
Fortaleza came back from the break more aggressive. At seven minutes, after a deflection by defender Marcelo Benevenuto, Róbson hit a volley on the crossbar. At 21, midfielder Lucas Crispim took a risk from outside the area, but stopped on the post. In the 41st minute, Romarinho crossed from the right and fellow striker Sílvio Romero concluded for the net. The VAR, however, saw the Argentine offside and the goal was disallowed. Despite the pressure, Leão do Pici did not reverse the disadvantage.
The teams change the key for the Brazilian Championship. On Sunday (31), at 6 pm, Fortaleza will go to Cuiabá to face the home team at Arena Pantanal. On Monday (1st), at 20:00, Fluminense catches Santos at Vila Belmiro, in Santos (SP). The duels are valid for the 20th round of the competition.
