In a captivating clash during matchday 12 of the Brasileirao, Fortaleza faced a disappointing 3-2 defeat at home against Santos, despite an impressive performance by midfielder Yago Pikachu, who scored twice. The match was filled with drama, and an ending that kept fans on the edge of their seats, showcasing a scoreline that briefly suggested parity between the two teams.
Goals from Álvaro Barreal (14’ 1H), Guilherme (40’ 1H), and Benjamín Rollheiser (46’ 2H) were pivotal for Santos, while Yago Pikachu found the back of the net twice from the penalty spot (25’ 2H and 28’ 2H).
Fortaleza had a chance to equalize late in the game, but Deyverson’s shot hit the post, forcing the team to settle for a loss. Despite the defeat, Fortaleza was the more aggressive side, taking a staggering 31 shots throughout the match, with 20 on target, 1 hitting the woodwork, and 8 off-target.
The standout player of the match was clearly Santos’ goalkeeper Gabriel Brazão, who demonstrated his skills by making an impressive 10 saves, solidifying his team’s victory. Santos’ Benjamín Rollheiser also made his mark with a crucial goal.
Fortaleza’s head coach, Juan Pablo Vojvoda, opted for a 4-3-3 formation, deploying João Ricardo as the keeper, with Emanuel Brítez, David Luiz, Gustavo Mancha, and Bruno Pacheco on defense. The midfield featured Zé Welison, Emmanuel Martínez, and Tomás Pochettino, while Marinho, Deyverson, and Breno Lopes led the attack.
On the other hand, Santos, under Cléber Xavier’s guidance, also lined up in a 4-3-3 format, with Gabriel Brazão in goal, backed by Gonzalo Escobar, João Basso, Luan Peres, and Souza in defense. The midfield included Zé Rafael, Diego Pituca, and Benjamín Rollheiser, and the forward line was made up of Álvaro Barreal, Tiquinho Soares, and Guilherme.
The match was officiated by Paulo Zanovelli da Silva at the Castelão stadium.
Looking ahead, Fortaleza will host Ceará, while Santos is set to face Palmeiras at home. Both teams are looking to claim victory against their historic rivals, ready for the upcoming clashes known as the “Rei” and “da Saudade” classics.
As a result of this match, Fortaleza finds itself in 18th place in the standings with 10 points, while Santos lifts itself to 14th with a total of 11 points.
Substitutions for Fortaleza
- 59’ 2H – Emmanuel Martínez off for Calebe, Marinho off for Yago Pikachu
- 76’ 2H – Breno Lopes off for Lucca Prior, Deyverson off for Juan Martín Lucero
Yellow Cards for Fortaleza:
- 11’ 2H – Marinho (Unsporting behavior)
- 33’ 2H – Zé Welison (Unsporting behavior)
- 40’ 2H – Bruno Pacheco (Holding opponent to prevent advancement)
- 44’ 2H – David Luiz (Unsporting behavior)
Substitutions for Santos
- 45’ 2H – Souza off for Zé Ivaldo
- 63’ 2H – Tiquinho Soares off for Thaciano
- 79’ 2H – Diego Pituca off for Gabriel Bontempo
- 80’ 2H – Álvaro Barreal off for Deivid Washington
- 84’ 2H – Zé Rafael off for João Schmidt
Yellow Cards for Santos:
- 50’ 2H – João Pedro Chermont (Insulting or disapproving the referee)
- 51’ 2H – João Schmidt (Unsporting behavior)