With the result of the Palmeiras and Gremio match in the standings.
Brazil’s footballing gem, Estevao, 17, kept Palmeiras’ dream of winning their third Brasileirao title in a row by scoring the goal of the 1-0 win against Gremio, at the start of the 33rd matchday next Friday.
Bought by Chelsea from England in June for more than 60 million euros, including variables, according to the Brazilian press, the skilled attacker scored the only goal in Palmeirense’s victory by taking advantage of a rebound which gave Argentina goalkeeper Agustín Marchesín from a shot. from the head of Dudu.
Due to the promising progress, which Brazil asked for the double date of the South American qualifier for the 2026 World Cup, Verdão put pressure on the leader of Botafogo with five days left in the competition.
The men led by the Portuguese Abel Ferreira, in second place, reached 64 points, three less than the Rio de Janeiro team, which will host Cuiabá (19th) on Saturday in Rio de Janeiro.
With the score at the Allianz Parque stadium in São Paulo, Estevao also became the championship’s top scorer with 12 goals, one more than the injured Pedro (Flamengo) and two more than Hulk (Atlético Mineiro).
In the game that opened the day, Internacional (4th) added a new victory that partially leaves it in the qualifying end for the group stage of the next Copa Libertadores.
The ‘red gaucho’, led by Roger Machado, beat Fluminense (14th) 2-0 in Porto Alegre and reached 59 points, one point above Flamengo, who will face Atlético Mineiro (10th) on Wednesday.
The game between Fla and Galo was postponed until that day, as the two clubs will face each other on Sunday in Belo Horizonte, in the final of the second leg of the Copa do Brasil. The Cariocas won 3-1 in the first match.
Forward Rafael Santos Borré, called up by Colombia for the double day of the South American World Cup, opened the account for Inter by scoring a cross from Argentina full-back Alexandro Bernabéi.
Bernabéi himself assisted Bruno Henrique so that the midfielder sealed the score against ‘Flu’ Mano Menezes, who suffered losses due to the suspension of central players, including goalkeeper Fábio, Colombian international Jhon Arias and creative Paulo Henrique Ganso.
Inter have gone fourteen games in a row without losing (ten wins, four draws), while Fluminense have not won for three days (two losses, one tie) and could end the streak in the relegation zone.
Apart from the duel between Flamengo and Mineiro, the other matches will be played on Saturday, before the Brasileirao is paralyzed by the FIFA date, the last one of the year.
– Friday:
International 2 Borré (52), Bruno Henrique (90+4)
Fluminense 0
Palmeiras 1 Estevao (73)
Guild 0
– Saturday:
(19h30 GMT)
Botafog
Cuiabá
win
Corinthians
(10:00pm GMT) h
Cruise
Cricuma
Fortaleza
Vasco
Youth
Bahia
Atlético Goianiense
Red Bull Bragantino
(00h00 GMT)
São Paulo
Athletico Paranaense
– Wednesday:
(11:00 PM GMT)
Flemish
Atlético Mineiro
Ranking: Pts JGEP GF GC Diff
1. Botfogo 67 32 20 7 5 52 26 26
2. Palmeiras 64 33 19 7 7 54 27 27
3. Fortaleza 60 32 17 9 6 44 32 12
4. International 59 33 16 11 6 46 28 18
5. Flamengo 58 32 17 7 8 51 37 14
6. São Paulo 54 32 16 6 10 45 33 12
7. Bahia 46 32 13 7 12 42 40 2
8. Cruise 44 32 12 8 12 36 34 2
9. Vasco 43 32 12 7 13 36 46 -10
10. Atlético Mineiro 41 31 10 11 10 42 46 -4
11. Guild 39 33 11 6 16 38 42 -4
12. Victory 38 32 11 5 16 37 46 -9
13. Corinthians 38 32 9 11 12 37 40 -3
14. Fluminense 37 33 10 7 16 28 36 -8
15. Cricuma 37 32 9 10 13 38 46 -8
16. Red Bull Bragantino 35 32 8 11 13 34 40 -6
17. Athletico Paranaense 34 31 9 7 15 33 39 -6
18. Youth 34 32 8 10 14 38 51 -13
19. Cuiabá 28 32 6 10 16 25 41 -16
20. Atlético Goianiense 25 32 6 7 19 24 50 -26
Interview: Time.News Editor with Football Expert
Editor: Thank you for joining us today. We’ve just witnessed an exhilarating match in the Brasileirao, where Estevao scored the only goal for Palmeiras against Gremio, keeping their title hopes alive. What’s your take on Estevao’s impact on the team?
Expert: Absolutely, Estevao has been phenomenal, especially for a 17-year-old! Scoring the decisive goal in such a crucial match not only highlights his skill but also shows his ability to perform under pressure. His timing and awareness allowed him to capitalize on a rebound, showcasing his instinct as a forward.
Editor: His trajectory has been remarkable, especially considering he was bought by Chelsea for over 60 million euros just a few months ago. How do you see this transition affecting his performance?
Expert: The pressure of a big-money transfer often weighs heavily on young players, but Estevao seems to be thriving. Playing in Brazil allows him to showcase his talents consistently at a high level, which is essential for his development. His current form could very well play a pivotal role in his future at Chelsea, as they’ll be watching closely how he performs domestically and on the international stage.
Editor: Speaking of international stage, Brazil has called him up for the South American qualifier for the 2026 World Cup. How significant is this for a player of his age?
Expert: It’s huge! Being called up not only validates his talent but also sets the groundwork for what could be a significant international career. Playing alongside experienced players can accelerate his growth, and it also adds to the pressure and expectation. The ability to handle that at such a young age is telling of his mental strength.
Editor: Palmeiras is now just three points behind Botafogo, with five matchdays left. What does this mean for them in the title race?
Expert: The title race is heating up! With Estevao in top form and the team now just three points shy of the leader, every match is critical. Palmeiras has the experience and tactical prowess under Abel Ferreira, which will be key in navigating these last matches. If they can maintain their momentum and Estevao continues scoring, they have a real shot at clinching the title.
Editor: Beyond Palmeiras and Botafogo, Internacional is also in the mix, having recently defeated Fluminense. How does their performance impact the overall standings?
Expert: Internacional’s victory keeps them competitive in the race for Libertadores qualification, but it also illustrates how unpredictable the league can be. Their unbeaten streak of fourteen games adds to their confidence. As we approach the final matches, the pressure will mount, and teams like Internacional can disrupt the title chase by taking critical points off the competition.
Editor: It’s certainly an exciting time in Brazilian football! As we look ahead to the weekend’s fixtures, what matches should fans keep an eye on?
Expert: The Flamengo vs. Atlético Mineiro match is definitely one to watch. It’s not just crucial for these two teams in terms of title aspirations, but it’s also a Copa do Brasil final rematch with Flamengo leading the aggregate. Both teams have a lot to prove, and it could significantly impact their league standings and confidence moving forward.
Editor: Thank you for sharing your insights! We can’t wait to see how the rest of the season unfolds.
Expert: Thank you for having me! It’s always a pleasure to discuss the beautiful game, especially during such a thrilling season in Brazil.