Vitor Roque bags brace, Palmeiras cruise to Paulista semis | OneFootball

Palmeiras is in yet another semifinal of the Campeonato Paulista. Verdão defeated Capivariano 4-0 on Saturday night (21st) at Arena Barueri in the state quarterfinals and secured a spot among the top four. Vitor Roque, twice in the first half, and Andreas Pereira and Sosa, already in stoppage time, scored the team's goals.

Verdão still doesn't know who their opponent will be. In addition to Abel Ferreira's team, São Paulo secured a spot in the semifinal by defeating Red Bull Bragantino. Portuguesa and Corinthians, and Grêmio Novorizontino and Santos, will decide the other two spots.

The two semifinals will take place next weekend, between February 30 and March 1.

See the match report

Spot secured in the first half

Palmeiras confirmed their favoritism and didn't face many scares against Capivariano. Abel Ferreira's team didn't take long to get ahead. Just 5 minutes in, Flaco López was involved in the attacking play, the ball stayed alive in the box, and Vitor Roque appeared to finish precisely and open the scoring.

Even behind on the scoreboard, Capivariano didn't sit back. The team from the interior sought to attack and managed to balance part of the first half, but without posing much threat to Carlos Miguel's goal.

The difference was in efficiency and the clarity of chances. At 35 minutes, Palmeiras found the net again. After an exchange of passes between Maurício and Piquerez, Vitor Roque received and struck first-time to score the second goal, increasing the lead before halftime.

The goal was a bucket of cold water for Capivariano, who didn't threaten again after the goal. 2-0 at halftime.

Slower-paced second half

The pace dropped as the rain intensified at Arena Barueri. With more possession and without suffering from Capivariano's attack, Palmeiras had the best chances. At 14 minutes, Allan received a long pass, controlled it on his chest, dribbled past two defenders, and shot across goal. The ball went close.

The best chance came at 21 minutes. After a corner from the right, Piquerez crossed, the ball deflected off Flaco López and almost went in.

The second half also marked a debut for Palmeiras. Attacking midfielder Jhon Arias, recently announced by the club, took the field for the first time and was applauded by the fans. The Colombian will cost 25 million euros (R$ 154 million), to be paid over four years to Wolverhampton, England.

The new number 11 had a good debut. With one of his first touches on the ball, he won a penalty. Andreas Pereira converted well and confirmed the rout at 46 minutes of the second half. Two minutes later, Sosa received from Felipe Anderson, dribbled the goalkeeper, and finished the score. 4-0 final score.

What now?

Palmeiras reaches the semifinal of the Campeonato Paulista for the 13th consecutive time – it is the only club to have reached the penultimate stage every year since 2014 and the only one to have played in the last six finals. Verdão still doesn't know who their opponent will be, a situation that will be revealed on Sunday (22nd), after the quarterfinals conclude.

The two semifinals will take place next weekend, between February 28 and March 1. Before that, Palmeiras will play in the Campeonato Brasileiro on Wednesday (25th) against Fluminense, at Arena Barueri.

Match details

Palmeiras 4-0 Capivariano

Venue: Arena Barueri, in Barueri (SP)Date and time: February 21, 2025, Saturday, 8:30 pm (Brasília time)Referee: Edina Alves BatistaAssistants: Alex Ang Ribeiro and Izabele de OliveiraVAR: Thiago Luis ScarascatiYellow cards: Marlon Freitas (PAL); Diogo Matheus and Carlos Eduardo (CAP) Goals: Vitor Roque (1-0, 6’/1st half; and 2-0, 36’/2nd half); Andreas Pereira (3-0, 46’/2nd half); Sosa (4-0, 48’/2nd half).

PALMEIRAS: Carlos Miguel; Khellven, Gustavo Gómez, Murilo, and Piquerez; Marlon Freitas, Andreas Pereira, Mauricio (Felipe Anderson, 41’/2nd half), and Allan (Arias, 32’/2nd half); Flaco López (Lucas Evangelista, 41’/extra time), and Vitor Roque (Sosa, 32’/2nd half). Coach: Abel Ferreira.

CAPIVARIANO: Guilherme Nogueira, Diogo Mateus (Ricardo Cerqueira, halftime), Octávio, Wendel Lomar, and Lucas Dias; Bruno Silva, Thiaguinho (Balão, 34’/2nd half), and Ravanelli (Rodolfo, 23’/2nd half); Carlos Eduardo (Felipe Azevedo, halftime), Baianinho (Matheus Guilherme, 23’/2nd half), and Vinicius Popó. Coach: Élio Sizenando.

Palmeiras' upcoming matches

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