The red-black team was 30 points behind and provisionally took fifth place, four points away from Bahia, the last team in the G4. The Pernambuco, however, can still be overtaken in the round. Bugre, with 19 points, remains in 18th place, in the relegation zone, with the risk of falling to the bottom if Náutico and Vila Nova win their respective commitments. It was the fourth game without a win for the Paulistas.
The half-time of the match was marked by the presentation of Vagner Love to the red-black crowd. The 38-year-old forward, announced earlier as a reinforcement for Sport, took to the field to the sound of the song “Só Love”, by the duo Claudinho and Bochecha, walked on the lawn of Ilha do Retiro and interacted with the public. The veteran must have his name published in the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF)’s Daily News Bulletin (BID) to debut.
With the ball rolling, Sport opened the scoring four minutes into the first half. The side Sander crossed low on the left and midfielder Denner sent it to the nets. Guarani would have equalized in the 13th minute, with Nicolas Careca, but the goal was disallowed with the help of the video referee (VAR), who verified, in the bid, a foul by fellow striker Júlio César on the side Pedro Naressi.
In the final stage, Leão increased the lead at three minutes. Striker Kayke was taken down by side Jamerson in the area. The midfielder Ronaldo Henrique, taking a penalty, scored the second for the hosts. At 45′, Nicolas Careca headed in a cross from Jamerson on the left and scored for Bugre, but the reaction stopped there.
In the next round, Sport receives Criciúma, again at Ilha do Retiro, next Tuesday (2), at 21:30 (Brasilia time). On Friday (5), at the same time, Guarani will face Grêmio at the Brinco de Ouro da Princesa stadium, in Campinas (SP).
