São Paulo FC beat Palmeiras for the fifth successive time in the Copa Libertadores on Wednesday.
It was an all Brazilian Paulista derby and the crowd in Antarctica Park were in jubilent mood as the two Brazilian teams fought it out, in the first knock out stage of the competition.
In a tense first half neither team really took control of the game but it was Palmeiras who had the best chances. The deadlock was finally broken in the second half when Cicinho dribbled into the box, pressured by Lúcio, hit a left foot shot to the left Marcos and scored the winning goal.
Palmeiras came close to equalising when Marcinho broke through the defence only to hit wide of Rogério Ceni’s goal. Palmeiras continued to pressure but couldn’t the break through.
“We have only suffered one goal in our last four games and that was a disputed penalty ( against Corinthians in 5-1 win). We are playing with the ball at our feet, without losing our defensive efficiency ” Coach Pablo Autuori told the press after the game.
PALMEIRAS
Marcos; Gabriel, Gláuber (Alceu) & Daniel; Bruno, Correa, Marcinho Guerreiro (Osmar), Juninho & Lúcio; Marcinho & Washington
Coach: Paulo Bonamigo
SÃO PAULO
Rogério Ceni; Cicinho, Fabão, Lugano & Júnior; Renan, Mineiro, Josué & Danilo; Grafite (Diego Tardelli) & Luizão (Edcarlos)
Coach: Paulo Autuori
Stadium: estádio do Parque Antarctica, em São Paulo (SP)
Referee: Sálvio Spínola Fagundes Filho (Brasil)
Yellow Cards: Gláuber (P), Cicinho (S), Luizão (S), Osmar (P)
Goals: Cicinho 59min
