Fortaleza defeats Fluminense and becomes provisional leader of the Brasileirão

Fortaleza took the leadership of the Brazilian Championship from Fluminense, at least temporarily. This Saturday (29), Tricolor from Ceará defeated Rio by 4 to 2, at Arena Castelão, for the third round of the competition. National Radio broadcast the match live. With seven points and a five-goal difference, Leão do Pici depends on the results of Palmeiras and Red Bull Bragantino – who face Corinthians and Cruzeiro, respectively, this Saturday – to find out whether they will spend the night at the isolated end or whether they will share the post with the rivals. Both Verdão and Massa Bruta have a goal difference. Fluminense, with six points, ended a sequence of seven consecutive victories in the season. Tricolor can leave the G6 (the top six, who would qualify for Libertadores if the Brasileirão ended now) if Botafogo, Palmeiras, Vasco, Internacional and Bragantino win in the round. Thinking about Tuesday’s commitment (2), at 9 pm, against River Plate (Argentina), at Maracanã, in Rio de Janeiro, for Libertadores, Fernando Diniz chose Fluminense without five usual starters. Fortaleza took advantage of the better combination and scored 2-0 with Thiago Galhardo and Moisés, in the 28th and 34th minutes of the first half. Fellow striker Alan scored just before the break. In the final stage, Moisés scored the third for Leão do Pici, in the 14th minute. Striker John Kennedy dropped again at 23, but, ten minutes later, defensive midfielder Hércules scored the fourth for the hosts, giving final numbers to the duel in the capital of Ceará. Fortaleza defeats Fluminense and becomes provisional leader of the Brasileirão. Photo – Mailson Santana/Fluminense FC Draw in Paraná In the other match that opened the third round, Coritiba and São Paulo drew 1-1 at Couto Pereira. Midfielder Bruno Gomes, in the 11th minute of the first stage, put Coxa ahead in the capital of Paraná, ending a fast of three matches without scoring for the host team, but striker Marcos Paulo equalized, in the 35th minute of the second half. Tricolor São Paulo went to the same four points as four other teams, in the top half of the table. The team remains undefeated under the command of Dorival Júnior, after three matches. Coritiba – without winning in eight games – added the first point in the Brasileirão, but remains in the Z4 (last four placed, which would be relegated to Série B next year), in 18th place, and could end the round in the bottom if América- MG and Bahia defeat Santos and Vasco, respectively.

Agência Brasil