Favorite eliminated! Operário VG beats Sport on penalties and advances in the Copa do Brasil

On Tuesday night (25), Operário-VG and Sport faced each other in the first phase of the Copa do Brasil. After a balanced game, the match ended 0x0 in normal time, taking the decision of the spot to penalties. In the dispute, Operário VG came out on top and guaranteed the first classification in its history for the second phase of the competition.

1ST HALF

The first half started off lively, with both teams creating good opportunities to open the scoring. Operário-VG had the clearest chance early on, but failed to convert. After a period of balance, Sport almost scored from a corner kick that was deflected into the middle of the area and a header blocked by the defense inside the six-yard box. In the 23rd minute, Fabricio Domínguez hit a beautiful backheel that hit the post, keeping the score at zero. From then on, Sport began to have more control of the offensive actions and came close to scoring with a header by Barletta, which was saved on the line by the opposing defense. Operário responded with a dangerous shot from outside the area by Vítor, which deflected and went just wide of the post. In the final minutes, the teams struggled to define their plays, and the first half ended 0-0.

2ND HALF

The second half began in the same way as the first half ended, with Sport controlling most of the offensive action. This was evident right from the start, when Barletta made a beautiful play on the baseline, applying a backheel dribble and leaving the ball for Atencio, who shot hard inside the area, but was stopped by a great save from the opposing goalkeeper. Operário-VG surprised with a quick counterattack, finished by Walisson, who dribbled past two Sport players inside the area before shooting straight at the red-and-black defender. In the next play, Fabricio Domínguez almost opened the scoring for Leão da Ilha with a header that grazed the crossbar.

After a long period without any major scares, Operário had a great opportunity to score, with Daniel Felipe, but Sport's defense saved on the goal line, increasing the tension of the match. In the final minutes, Lenny Lobato had the chance to guarantee Sport's qualification, but his shot went just wide of the post and out of bounds. With the score tied at 0-0 in normal time, the decision for the spot was left to penalties.

NEXT CONFRONTATIONS

Sport returns to the field next Sunday (02), when it will face Decisão at Ilha do Retiro, at 4:00 pm (Brasília time), in a decisive game that will define a place in the semifinals of the Pernambucano Championship. Operário-VG will enter action on Saturday (01), against União Rondonópolis, for the first leg of the quarterfinals of the Mato-Grossense Championship, with time yet to be confirmed.