Palmeiras 6-0 Confiança
Palmeiras laid down an early marker in their pursuit of the Copa São Paulo title with a brilliant performance to down a helpless Confiança side.
The club have included five of their first-team squad for the tournament and their additional quality and experience was clear for all to see from early on.
It was one of those players, striker Vinicius, who set the Verdão on their way, turning home a front-post cross to open the scoring, before doubling his side’s lead in bizarre fashion as goalkeeper Danilo’s clearance rebounded off the striker’s face into the back of the net.
Going in at the break with a two-goal lead, Palmeiras always looked a safe bet to add more to their lead and set about doing so in the second half in fine style.
First central-midfielder Bruno Dybal offered an early contender for Goal of the Tournament, driving forward out of midfield before cutting onto his left foot and curling a shot home from 25 yards. Just moments later, colleague Edilson rifled home a fourth from similar range.
The game slowed down as both teams made changes late in the second-half, but Palmeiras weren’t content yet and added two more to their total in the dying moments through substitute striker João Pedro.
Man of the Match: Vinicius (Palmeiras) – Brought down from the first-team for the competition, Vinicius’ experience shone through and, although there was a big stroke of luck in his second goal, the striker’s early hold up play set the tone for his side.
Palmeiras XI: Walter; Bruno Oliveira, Luiz Gustavo, Fernando, Victor Hugo; Bruno Dybal, Rato, Diego Souza, Edilson; Chico, Vinicius.
Confiança XI: Danilo; Amaral, Anderson, Lucas, Walber; Batata, Marcelinho, Luquinhas, Iraildo; Artur, Edson.
Elsewhere in Group Q: Barueri 1-4 Sertãozinho
