Arias leads Palmeiras win as Flaco scores after World Cup return | OneFootball

Palmeiras claimed a first-leg win over Fortaleza in the Copa do Brasil last 16 on Sunday at Nubank Parque, with Jhon Arias central to a sharp second-half surge. Flaco López also found the net for the first time since returning from the World Cup.

According to Globo.com, Arias was the standout as Palmeiras stepped up after the break. He helped create the opener before heading the second from Allan’s cross, and Marlon Freitas picked the passes that opened Fortaleza for both Arias and Flaco.

Mauricio, much improved after the interval, broke the deadlock and justified his selection, fed by Ramón Sosa. Sosa stayed lively but was denied by João Ricardo in one-on-ones in each half. Flaco later pounced on a rebound to complete Palmeiras’ scoring.

At the back, Murilo swept up smartly and made an early saving challenge, while Alexander Barboza dominated in the air but was loose with his distribution and nearly turned into his own net. Piquerez offered thrust down the left with Arias and Mauricio, though Fortaleza found room on his flank early on. Carlos Miguel misplaced passes yet made important saves in stoppage time.

Abel Ferreira persisted with a back three, improvising Emiliano Martínez as a centre-back, which misfired before half-time. The coach kept faith, the intensity rose and the hosts got the job done, after which he rotated. Andreas Pereira’s delivery was inconsistent, although he almost scored from a dead ball, and Vitor Roque looked short of rhythm.

Source: Globo.com