Fortaleza secured a resounding victory, triumphing 2-0 over Corinthians in an electrifying match held at the majestic Castelão stadium. With this impressive win, Fortaleza has earned the coveted spot in the South American Championship (Conmebol Sudamericana) final, a historic achievement for the club.
Their opponent in this unprecedented final will be determined in a clash between LDU (Ecuador) and Defensa y Justicia (Argentina). The two decisive goals that sealed their victory were beautifully executed by Yago Pikachu and Tinga.
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Right from the very beginning of the match, Fortaleza displayed an overwhelming dominance, showcasing their prowess on the field. However, it wasn’t until the second half that they managed to break through and find the back of the net.
In a span of just 10 minutes, Pikachu and Tinga orchestrated two brilliant goals, exploiting the defensive lapses of Corinthians, with Fábio Santos committing costly errors. It’s worth noting that in the initial leg of this intense encounter, both teams had settled for a 1-1 draw at the Neo Química Arena, setting the stage for today’s thrilling showdown.
😍🏆 ¡Una clasificación histórica! @FortalezaEC disputará su primera Final de CONMEBOL #Sudamericana.#LaGranConquista pic.twitter.com/1RcNCkv8HD
— CONMEBOL Sudamericana (@Sudamericana) October 4, 2023
For Fortaleza, this victory represents a dream come true as they edge closer to clinching an unprecedented South American title. On the flip side, Corinthians finds itself in another season without adding any silverware to their collection, languishing in the 13th position in the Brasileirão standings.
Controversies
The match was not short of drama and controversies. Right from the opening moments, Fortaleza showcased their intent to control the game, cornering Corinthians and constantly threatening to score. There was an early controversial moment when Pikachu took a shot from outside the area, which appeared to strike Lucas Veríssimo’s arm.
However, to the dismay of Fortaleza, the referee allowed play to continue. Corinthians, against the run of play, managed to create the first clear chance with Moscardo stealing the ball, and Renato Augusto and Yuri Alberto failing to capitalize on a face-to-face opportunity with the goalkeeper, shooting the ball over João Ricardo in the 19th minute.
From that point onward, Fortaleza asserted their dominance, but their relentless pressure could have been halted by a strong challenge from Pochettino, who, to the dismay of Corinthians, only received a yellow card despite their protests for a red card.
In the 36th minute, Pikachu unleashed a powerful shot, brilliantly saved by Cassio. As the clock showed 41 minutes played, a bombardment of shots occurred inside the Corinthians area, yet they managed to hold on, ensuring the score remained level at half-time, a moment celebrated by the Corinthians faithful.
⚽️🔥 ¡Yago Pikachu abrió el camino para @FortalezaEC, que se quedó con el primer pasaje a la Final de la CONMEBOL #Sudamericana!#LaGranConquista pic.twitter.com/rWCQ6YuUBG
— CONMEBOL Sudamericana (@Sudamericana) October 4, 2023
The pressure from Fortaleza continued unabated in the second half, and Corinthians found themselves unable to withstand the onslaught. In the 4th minute of the second half, Titi made an exquisite move to beat Lucas Veríssimo, allowing Pikachu to outmaneuver Fábio Santos and expertly place the ball past Cassio, breaking the deadlock and giving Fortaleza a 1-0 lead.
Ten minutes later, Fortaleza solidified their position in the match. After a corner, Bruno Pacheco delivered a pinpoint cross, and Tinga skillfully directed the header into the back of the net, increasing Fortaleza’s lead to 2-0. Fábio Santos, much like in the first goal, failed to stop the shot.
🦁🥳 ¡La magia de meterse en una Final de CONMEBOL #Sudamericana! Tinga metió un gran cabezazo para sellar la victoria de @FortalezaEC.#LaMagiaDeVerdad @CocaCola_Br pic.twitter.com/TaBL7g23zy
— CONMEBOL Sudamericana (@Sudamericana) October 4, 2023
With this comfortable advantage, Fortaleza tactically managed the result, while Corinthians struggled to muster the strength for a comeback. Despite their attempts with shots from distance and numerous crosses, Corinthians failed to create clear-cut scoring opportunities.
Throughout the match, controversies loomed large, including the disputed penalty appeal in the 2nd minute when Pikachu’s shot struck Lucas Veríssimo’s arm. The referee chose not to award a penalty, adding to the drama on the field. In the 19th minute, Renato Augusto’s brilliant launch found Yuri Alberto with a golden opportunity to score, but he inexplicably missed the target.
Another contentious moment occurred at the 27th minute when Pochettino made a robust tackle on Moscardo, leading to vehement protests from Corinthians. However, the referee maintained his decision and issued a yellow card instead of the demanded red.
Nearly sealing the deal, in the 36th minute, Pikachu delivered a sensational strike, met with a remarkable save by goalkeeper Cassio. Ultimately, the scoreline remained at 2-0, and Fortaleza emerged as the triumphant side in this thrilling encounter, securing their place in the final of the South American Championship.
