Ceará extend Fortaleza agony in Clássico Rei | OneFootball

Ceará kept their upper hand in the Clássico Rei, recording a 1-0 win over Fortaleza at Arena Castelão on Sunday night, deepening the crisis for their rivals and extending an increasingly significant unbeaten run in this derby. The victory, which came via a well-timed finish from Galeano early in the second half, means Fortaleza have now failed to beat Ceará in their last nine meetings, a spell stretching back over two years, according to Diário do Nordeste and NE45.

The first half was a cagey contest punctuated by physical duels and cautious possession, with neither side creating anything of note. Both goalkeepers, Brenno (Fortaleza) and Bruno Ferreira (Ceará), were largely untroubled as misplaced passes and frequent fouls disrupted any attacking rhythm. Ceará, however, showed more competitiveness and, crucially, greater efficiency in the final third.

The only noteworthy opening before the break arrived for Ceará, when a stray pass from Fortaleza’s Matheus Pereira gifted Fernando Sobral a chance early in the second period, his effort narrowly missing the target. Moments later, another careless Fortaleza giveaway in their own half proved the difference. Pedro Henrique pounced, advanced down the flank and squared to Pedro Raul, whose clever layoff found Galeano free with the goal at his mercy. The striker converted from close range, netting what would be the decisive goal by the 11th minute of the half.

Ceará might have doubled their lead shortly after, with Fernandinho missing a gilt-edged opportunity after being played through, putting his finish over the bar as Brenno rushed out. Despite Fortaleza’s increased urgency in the closing stages, they failed to muster a single shot on target and did not force Bruno Ferreira into a save all evening. “The production of Fortaleza was below criticism, with the team not creating a single real chance of goal,” summarised an analysis for Diário do Nordeste.

As a result, Ceará move up to ninth in the table with 18 points, reinforcing their push for a solid mid-table campaign under Léo Condé. The result leaves Fortaleza rooted in the relegation zone in 18th, now eight points behind their rivals, and without a league goal in open play at home for several matches. Their run in the Clássico Rei now stands at four defeats and five draws since their last win, which dates to April 2023, and the pressure is mounting on coach Juan Pablo Vojvoda.

Fortaleza will need a significant response next Saturday when they host Bahia, while Ceará return to the pitch on Wednesday to face Corinthians at the Castelão. For now, it is the black-and-white half of Fortaleza celebrating supremacy—and for the tricolores, searching for answers amidst growing anxiety over their league form and attacking output.