Palmeiras seek draw with Red Bull Bragantino, eye home U20 final spot | OneFootball

Palmeiras came from behind to earn a 3-3 draw with Red Bull Bragantino this Thursday (23) at Estádio Cícero de Souza Marques in Bragança Paulista, in the first leg of the Brazilian Under-20 Championship semifinal. The goals for the Academy Boys were scored by Pimenta, Vinicius, and Luccas Ramon.

With the better overall campaign throughout the competition, Verdão will have the advantage of deciding the place in the final at home. The second leg will take place next Thursday (30) at 4:00 p.m. at Arena Crefisa Barueri, where a win would send Allan Barcellos’ side through to the final.

Palmeiras started better and opened the scoring just five minutes in. After a corner from Felipe Teresa, Pimenta rose above the opposing defense and powered a header into the back of the net. Bragantino responded in the 15th minute, when Koné scored an own goal to level the match.

After the break, the home side completed the comeback five minutes into the second half through Gabriel Lopes. Verdão, however, responded quickly. In the 18th minute, Vinicius took a free kick from the right, and the ball traveled through the entire box untouched before ending up in the back of the net, leveling the match once again.

When defeat seemed certain, the Academy Boys once again showed their fighting spirit. In the 44th minute, after a corner kick, João Paulo flicked the ball on at the near post and Luccas Ramon appeared unmarked to head it home and seal the 3-3 draw.

The green-and-white side continues to enjoy a solid campaign in the Brazilian Under-20 Championship. In 21 matches, they have recorded 14 wins, six draws, and just one defeat, with 61 goals scored and 27 conceded. Forward Felipe Teresa is the competition’s top scorer with 15 goals.

The current two-time Brazilian champions in the category, Palmeiras are aiming to win the tournament for the fifth time. The club has already lifted the trophy in 2018, 2022, 2024, and 2025, and is looking to reach the final for the fifth consecutive year, as well as make the title match for the sixth time in the last eight editions of the competition.

Before the national semifinal decider, Verdão will return to action in the Paulista Under-20 Championship. This Sunday (26) at 3:00 p.m., they will once again face Red Bull Bragantino at Academia de Futebol 2 in Guarulhos.

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