Matheus Pereira free-kick fires Cruzeiro past São Paulo at Mineirão | OneFootball

Cruzeiro and São Paulo faced off on Saturday night (30), at Mineirão, in a match valid for the 22nd round of the Brazilian Championship Series A. Cruzeiro was on a mission to prevent Flamengo and Palmeiras from increasingly isolating themselves at the top of the Brasileirão and to maintain a performance above 75% as the home team. Meanwhile, São Paulo was looking to maintain an unbeaten streak of 8 games without losing in the Championship.

With only one change compared to the usual starting team – Christian was left out as a precaution due to a tackle suffered in the last match and Matheus Henrique took his place – coach Leonardo Jardim did not manage the team as much as expected in relation to the fatigue suffered. Another highlight is the presence of Sinisterra on the bench. Thus, Cruzeiro took to the field:

First half:

Cruzeiro started the game maintaining a traditional style, keeping their lines high and pressuring São Paulo in their defensive field. However, unlike what had been happening in other matches, the tricolor quickly found a way to overcome the celestial pressure and dominate the offensive actions, forcing Cruzeiro into defensive errors that posed a threat to Cássio's goal.

Owner of the actions at the beginning of the game, São Paulo managed to create chances in pass exchanges and almost scored their first goal in a play where Cássio struggled with the ball at his feet, Luciano fought, stole the ball, but failed to capitalize on the opportunity. The São Paulo blitz was happening with good ball reversals and crosses that threatened Cruzeiro's defense.

With São Paulo maintaining a more offensive posture, it was up to Cruzeiro to adapt to the game and seek counterattacks to create good opportunities. Matheus Pereira was the main player called upon to create the best plays in the attacking field, even under the strong marking of the tricolor.

The game was becoming increasingly truncated, with both teams forcing harder markings and referee Anderson Daronco having a lot of problems controlling the game. Luciano and Villalba disagreed at various times and were yellow-carded throughout the first half.

Cruzeiro took advantage of the nervousness to threaten the tricolor goal, mainly with medium and long distance shots. William took a chance and Rafael defended, then it was Kaiki's turn to shoot and pose a threat to the tricolor goal. São Paulo responded with more elaborate plays and pass exchanges at the entrance to Cruzeiro's area.

The game, despite the dynamism and nervousness, ended up at 0-0 during the first half.

Second half:

For the final stage, Leonardo Jardim chose to make a substitution right at the break: Kaio Jorge, the top scorer of the Brazilian Championship, left and Gabigol, the birthday boy, entered. The first great chance came from São Paulo, in a set-piece, Rodriguinho got the ball at the edge of the area and shot, but the ball went out.

Gradually, what was a strong dominance of São Paulo – both in ball possession and in shots – the second half became similar to what was the end of the first half, with the teams more dynamic and seeking the attack, creating chances and forcing the goalkeepers to move. Cruzeiro almost opened the scoring in a cross from William and a header from Matheus Pereira, but Rafael made a great save.

If the goals were not coming from open play, it was from a set-piece that Cruzeiro jumped ahead. In a frontal foul, Matheus Pereira took a direct free kick, with immense skill, giving Rafael no chance. Cruzeiro 1, São Paulo 0 at 19 minutes into the second half.

Cruzeiro grew with the goal and began to dominate the match, mainly using the sides of the fields. In a baseline play, Matheus Pereira took the ball to the corner flag, got rid of the marker and Wanderson was about to create a great chance when he hit the opponent. The celestial striker had to be substituted, feeling pain, with Eduardo taking his place.

In a good corner kick, Rafael made two spectacular saves in a header from Fabrício Bruno and a rebound from Villalba, respectively. Crespo responded with the entries of Tapia and Dinenno, in the places of Ferreira and Luciano. São Paulo continued to maintain ball possession and pressured Cruzeiro's lines to retreat. The defensive system had work to deal with the movements and especially with the balls launched into the area.

In the final minutes, Leonardo Jardim chose to make new substitutions, promoting two changes: Matheus Pereira and Lucas Silva left the field, for the entry of Sinisterra, Cruzeiro's reinforcement in this window, making his debut, and Kauã Prattes, a product of Toca. Daronco added 6 minutes of stoppage time.

São Paulo almost reached the tie in the final minutes, in a cross play, Dinenno headed splitting and forced Cássio to make a great save. Cruzeiro tried to pose a threat in counterattacks, but Gabigol finished with little danger to Rafael's goal. The tricolor pressured and the celestial defense rebounded in corners. But without being effective, it was up to Cruzeiro to manage the match until the end and take the three points: Cruzeiro 1, São Paulo 0.

What's next…

Cruzeiro is now preparing to recover the team during the stoppage of Brazilian football for the FIFA dates. The Fox only returns to the field on September 11, in the second leg of the quarterfinals of the Brazil Cup, against Atlético, at Mineirão.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.