Palmeiras thrash Fortaleza, stay close to Brasileirão leaders | OneFootball

With a reserve team amidst the clashes with River Plate for the Libertadores, Palmeiras defeated Fortaleza at Allianz Parque by 4 to 1 and remains close to the leader Flamengo, who plays this Sunday (21). The goals for Palmeiras were scored by: the captain of the night, Raphael Veiga, Ramón Sosa, and Andreas Pereira (2).

First Half

The Palmeiras fans present at Allianz Parque on the night of this Saturday (20), witnessed a game without the main players at first, with a mixed Palmeiras team, eyes and thoughts on the upcoming clash on Wednesday (24) against River Plate.

At six minutes, the VAR called the referee to review a play involving Facundo Torres inside the area. Penalty confirmed. Raphael Veiga, captain of Palmeiras this night, took the shot and struck firmly, leaving no chance for the goalkeeper. Allianz erupted with the 1-0, in a goal that might mark the return of the number 23 to confidence and prominence within the club.

At 22 minutes, after a sequence of great saves by Weverton, Fortaleza managed to equalize. The ball fell to Lucas Crispim, who finished precisely and leveled the score at Allianz Parque: 1-1.

At 30 minutes, Fortaleza almost turned the game around with a fast counterattack. Breno Lopes went face to face with Weverton, but the Palmeiras goalkeeper made the save and kept the draw at Allianz.

Second Half

In the first minute of the second half, Emiliano headed towards the middle of the area and Maurício appeared with a header. The number 18 tested firmly, but was stopped by a good save from the goalkeeper, who prevented Palmeiras from regaining the lead. At five minutes, Giay received on the right and crossed perfectly. Facundo Torres arrived first, volleyed, and scored.

At 11 minutes of the second half, Micael launched Ramón Sosa, who received alone and blasted a shot from outside the area, hitting the net and scoring the second for Verdão. Allianz Parque exploded with the goal that put Palmeiras ahead again.

At 26 minutes, Flaco-Roque almost scored! Vitor launched the Argentine at the edge of the area, and he unleashed a powerful shot that went very close to the goal, scaring Fortaleza's defense and exciting the fans.

At 37 minutes, Andreas Pereira shone and scored his first goal for Palmeiras. With a placed shot from outside the area, the number 8 hit a real stunner at Allianz Parque.

At 44 minutes, Andreas Pereira scored again for Palmeiras, this time with another powerful shot from outside the area. The second goal by the number 8 sealed the rout and practically secured Verdão's victory at Allianz Parque.

And Now?

Palmeiras returns to the field next Wednesday (24) in a match valid for the quarter-finals of the Conmebol Libertadores. Verdão won the first match 2-1 in Argentina.

Match Details

Palmeiras vs Fortaleza

Location: Allianz Parque, São Paulo (SP).

Date and time: September 20, 2025, Saturday, 9 PM (Brasília time)

Referee: Alex Gomes Stefano (RJ)

Assistants: Rodrigo Figueiredo Henrique Correa (RJ) and Brigida Cirilo Ferreira (AL)

VAR: Daniel Nobre Bins (RS)

Yellow cards:

Red card:

Goals: Raphael Veiga (1-0, at 6/1H), Luchero (1-1, at 22/1H), and Ramón Sosa (2-1, at 11/2H)

PALMEIRAS: Weverton; Giay, Bruno Fuchs, Micael, and Jefté; Emiliano Martínez, Allan (Lucas Evangelista, at 25/2H) and Maurício (Flaco López, at 25/2H); Raphael Veiga (Vitor Roque, at 25/2H), Facundo Torres (Felipe Anderson, at 28/2H) and Ramón Sosa (Andreas Pereira, at 28/2H). Coach: Abel Ferreira.

FORTALEZA: Helton Leite; Eros Mancuso, Emaunuel Britez, Gastón Ávila, and Bruno Pacheco; Lucas Sasha, Matheus Pereira, Yago Pikachu (Marinho, at 28/2H), Lucas Crispim (Rodrigo Santos, at 15/2H), Breno Lopes (Pochetinno, at 28/2H) and Luchero (Deyverson, at 15/2H). Coach: Martín Palermo.

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