Atlético-GO defeated Ponte Preta 2-0 at the Moisés Lucarelli Stadium in Campinas, propelling them to second place in Brazil’s Série B.
This loss made things harder for Ponte Preta in the league standings. Earning their fourth consecutive win, Atlético-GO now has 56 points.
They’re right behind the leading team, Vitória. On the other hand, Ponte Preta is struggling. They haven’t won in seven games and are 16th with 34 points.
In the early minutes, Tubarão set up Dodô for a chance. Then, Alix scored for Atlético-GO. The goal was confirmed after a VAR review.
Ponte Preta tried to respond. Their best chance came from Jeh but was saved by Ronaldo. The first half ended 1-0 in favor of Atlético-GO.
In the second half, Ponte Preta started strong. However, Ronaldo saved another attempt. Then, Matheus Peixoto scored for Atlético-GO. This made it 2-0 and sealed the win.
Next up, Atlético-GO will play ABC on Thursday. Ponte Preta will face Ituano on the following Monday. Both teams are gearing up for more Série B action.
Background
Série B is the second tier of Brazilian football. It’s a stepping stone to the top division, Série A.
Teams in Série B fight not just for the championship, but also for promotion. The top four teams move up to Série A each year.
Similarly, the bottom four teams face relegation to Série C.
Atlético-GO has had its share of ups and downs. They’ve been in both Série A and Série B in the past years.
This win strengthens their bid for a return to the top division. Ponte Preta, another team with a rich history, is struggling.
Their current form puts them at risk of relegation. Both teams see the tournament as crucial. For Atlético-GO, it’s a chance for promotion. For Ponte Preta, it’s about survival.