By Georgia Grimond, Senior Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – In a nail-biting match to decide who proceeds to the final of the Copa do Brasil competition, Rio team Fluminense lost out to Paulistas Palmeiras last night, October 28th. In the second of the semi-final games, the score was 2-1 when the whistle blew leaving the teams level pegging and pushing the confrontation to penalties which Palmeiras won 4-1.
Having lost the previous week Palmeiras started off their attack with conviction and were rewarded with two goals by Lucas Barrios early on in the first half. A third by the player was disallowed in the second. Of the seven goals Barrios has scored so far wearing the Palmeiras shirt, five have been against the Carioca team.
Fred, Fluminense’s captain, pulled his team off the start line with a goal 47 minutes in. Having injured his leg and knee in last week’s match, there were worries about his fitness.
“It is the feeling that I would repeat all the sacrifices I made to defend Fluminense. I felt a lot of pain, but the team needed me. Too bad we have not ranked. Congratulations to Palmeiras,” said the Number Nine.
Having been eliminated, Fluminense can now concentrate on the Campeão Brasileiro where they are thirteenth in the table and relatively close to relegation. Their next match will be on November 1st against Vasco at Engenhão in Rio.
Palmeiras will go on to play Santos twice in the final of the Copa do Brasil. Santos, from São Paulo state, was victorious for the second time against São Paulo FC, winning once again with a score of 3-1. It is the second time Santos has reached the final, and five years since the team lifted the trophy.
The finalists will both play at their respective stadiums, having a chance to capitalize on a home advantage. The finals will take place on November 25th and December 2nd.