The 19-year-old continued his fantastic start to the season with a mesmerising display that eclipsed the likes of the former Barcelona man as Galo kept their lead at the summit
Atletico Mineiro made it six consecutive wins as they outclassed Sport Recife to earn a 4-1 victory at the Ilha do Retiro.
Things started well for Sport as Gilberto
turned home in the 26th minute after Victor failed to get a hand to
former Real Madrid full-back Cicinho's cross. But they could only hold
onto the lead for seven minutes as Danilinho pounced on a rebound from Ronaldinho's shot to tuck home the equaliser. From then on it was all Galo,
but efforts from Jo, Danilinho and Rever failed to give the visitors
the lead. It was not until the hour mark that Atletico finally found the
net again and it came after a swift break that saw Bernard set Ronaldinho through and the two-time World Player of the Year bent in his fourth of the season.
Five
minutes later the advantage was doubled as Bernard feigned to cross
before driving to the byline, where he stood the ball up at the back
post and Jo supplied the finishing touch. The 19-year-old Bernard
then added a goal of his own, and it was an absolute beauty. From the
edge of the box he caught Magrao off his line and lofted an exquisite
chip over him and into the far corner to cap a sublime display. Galo became
a bit complacent with their lead and allowed Sport more of the ball in
the closing stages but they could find no more consolation.
Atletico
remain on top of the Brasileiro, though many are wondering how long
they can keep up such good form. Following their second consecutive
loss, Sport drop to 13th and possess one of the leakiest defences in the
competition.
Palmeiras 3-0 Nautico
Palmeiras picked up their first win since lifting the Copa do Brasil
trophy as they beat a disappointing Nautico 3-0 at the Arena Barueri.
Making
his first start since returning to Brazilian football, Obina seemed to
strike up an excellent partnership with Mazinho in attack as the Verdao dominated proceedings. The pair combined early on with the former finding the net only to see it chalked off for offside. Obina
did open his Palmeiras account moments later, though, as he rifled home
from Joao Vitor's through-ball in the 19th minute. Nautico responded
positively but after being thwarted by Bruno, they found themselves
further behind as Obina turned provider with a pinpoint cross that was
tapped in by Mazinho with 30 minutes played.
Before
the half was out Felipe did well to claw away a curled effort by Jorge
Valdivia as Palmeiras continued to keep the pressure on. Shortly after
the break the hosts got their third with a rapid counterattack that
almost finished with Obina grabbing his second, but his shot bounced off
the post and Marcio Araujo was in position to tuck
away the loose ball. It could have been four had Mazinho finished from
within the six-yard box but some last-ditch defending from the visitors
ensured he would not score his second.
Luiz Felipe Scolari will
have been delighted with his team's display as they finally moved out of
the relegation zone and up to 14th. They are now three places behind
Nautico, who will rely on their home form for the majority of their
points.
Palmeiras 3-0 Nautico |
Internacional 4-1 Atletico Goianiense |
Construction work continues at the Beira-Rio but new coach Fernandao laid down the building blocks for a solid start to his tenure with the Colorado, seeing his team take the lead in the 20th minute. Dagoberto clipped a fantastic pass forward to Elton who took one touch before stabbing the ball past Marcio. Eight minutes later though the Brasileiro's bottom side drew level as Renie bundled a corner over the line. Inter continued to pepper the opposition goal with shots but Fred and Jaja failed to work the keeper, with Elton's tame shot their best effort of the half.
Fernandao clearly said the right things at half-time as within two minutes of the restart his team had taken charge of the game when Dagoberto poked home from Fabricio's cross. Elton came close twice more but it was Jaja who would eventually add to the hosts' advantage as he slid home after Fred launched a counter from within his own half. And it was Fred who completed the scoring as he pierced through the heart of the Dragao defence and bent a low effort past Marcio that nestled in the bottom corner.
In seventh place, the win keeps Inter in touch with the teams at the top, while Atletico remain rooted to the bottom of the table with just five points to their name so far.
Vasco da Gama 2-0 Santos |
Santos remain with just one win this season as they suffered defeat to Vasco da Gama at the Sao Januario.
Both teams have been wrought with recent departures: Romulo, Diego Souza and Fagner have all left Vasco while Santos are without Rafael Cabral, Ganso and Neymar due to international duty and also Edu Dracena, who was ruled out for six months in midweek. It was the Gigante da Colina who dealt with their issues the better, though, as they took charge of the game in the 12th minute. Juninho Pernambucano's corner was sliced into the path of Douglas by Santos' Bruno Rodrigo and the centre-back smashed the ball into the roof of the net.
Douglas could have added a second later in the half but he was denied by a terrific reaction save by Aranha before two Vasco players failed to turn in the rebound. The lead was enhanced shortly after the restart, however, as Alecsandro headed in at the near post from a Juninho corner. The Peixe lacked creativity all night while Dimba and Ezequiel Miralles failed to impress up front after the losses of Borges, Alan Kardec and Wason Renteria.
It will not get any easier for 15th-placed Santos as they face league leaders Atletico Mineiro in midweek, while second-placed Vasco kept up the pressure at the top with their win.
Best of the Rest |
A crowd of roughly 37,000 turned out for Clarence Seedorf's Botafogo debut but the extra support could not stop the Fogao falling to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Gremio. Reigning Brasileiro champions Corinthians could only manage a 1-1 draw with Portuguesa while Fluminense narrowly escaped the same scoreline against Ponte Preta with a late Fred penalty handing them a 2-1 win. Borges scored his first goal for Cruzeiro in a 1-0 win which piled on the misery for Flamengo fans while Sao Paulo supporters will have been relieved by their team's 2-0 win away at Figueirense. Bahia threw away a two-goal lead as Copa do Brasil finalists Coritiba fought back to take a point in a 2-2 tie.
Player of the Round |
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