São Paulo ran out convincing 5-2 winners over Mato Grosso do Sul minnows Guaicurus on Monday evening, but not before they had been given a shock.
With just a few minutes on the clock, Guaicurus took an early lead as striker Guilherme drove home a low shot from 20-yards. The goal should have shocked the Paulista giants into action, but the Tricolor remained sluggish throughout the opening half an hour.
With ten minutes to go in the half, however, they sprang into life. First, following good work from full-back Lucas Farias, centre-back Diego slid in to level the scores, before midfielder Rodrigo Caio rose highest to head home from a corner.
They weren’t done there, though, and shortly before the break Tiago added a third, after a poor defensive error left him with an open goal.
With the game won, São Paulo made early changes in the second-half and reverted to the lacklustre performance that had typified the first-half.
Fábio Lima would add a fourth for his side midway through the half, but Guaicurus weren’t done yet, with 15-year-old Roberto Júnior curled home a wonderful free-kick that rattled the crossbar before finding the back of the net.
Unfortunately for the underdogs, São Paulo weren’t content with just a two-goal margin and in the final minutes added a fifth goal as Fábio Lima was once more on hand to head home Lucas Evangelista’s cross.
Man of the Match: Rodrigo Caio (São Paulo) – Another big performance from the relatively experienced midfielder. His determination lifted his team following a slow start and a towering header to put São Paulo ahead was just reward for his efforts.
Guaicurus XI: Valdisvan; Malaquias, Lenon, Alef, Lucas Henrique; Valdeci, Kevin, Luiz Felipe, Luiz Henrique; Gabriel, Guilherme.
São Paulo XI: Felipe Passoni; Lucas Farias, Diego, Marcelo, Henrique Miranda; Allan, Rodrigo Caio, João Schmidt, Fábio Lima; Tiago, Adelino.
