The match that ended the 29th round of the Brazilian Championship emboldened the fight against relegation to Series B. The first team in the relegation zone (which brings together the last four placed, the so-called “Z-4”), in 17th place, Vitória beat Santos 1-0, in Vila Belmiro, tying on points with Alvinegro itself, who is ahead, in 16th, for having one more triumph. The two have 31 points.
In addition to equaling Santos, Vitória closed the gap to other teams outside the Z-4. Atlético-MG, with 33 points, is now threatened with entering the relegation zone in the next round, in case of defeat to Ceará and triumphs of Rubro-Negro from Bahia and Peixe against Corinthians and Botafogo, respectively.
Video arbitration (VAR) was decisive in the first half of the game in Santos (SP). In the opening minute, striker Lautaro Diaz fell in the area in a dispute with defender Edu. Referee Rafael Klein awarded a penalty to Santos, but canceled the call when he reviewed the move and saw that Lautaro kicked the grass and there was no touch from Edu.
In the 34th minute, Vitória asked for a penalty in a dispute between striker Renzo López and goalkeeper Gabriel Brazão. The referee was called to the VAR and understood that Peixe’s number 77 fouled Rubro-Negro, signaling the infraction inside the area. Midfielder Matheuzinho took the penalty and opened the scoring for Leão.
In the final stage, Santos was present in the attack, but when he managed to finish, he stopped at goalkeeper Lucas Arcanjo. In the clearest chance, in the 26th minute, full-back Igor Vinícius crossed from the right and striker Guilherme, free from marking, tried to head the ball, but missed the ball.
Vitória, on the counterattack, had the best opportunity with a shot from Lucas Braga against the post, in the 40th minute, from a ball played by fellow striker Osvaldo, on the left. The missed goal, however, was not missed by Leão, who beat Santos for the first time at Vila Belmiro.
