São Paulo equaled Corinthians at the top of Series A1 (first division) of the Brazilian Women's Football Championship. This Sunday (16), the Soberanas beat Botafogo 5-1, coming from behind, at Nilton Santos, in the 16th and penultimate round of the first phase. TV Brasil broadcast the match live in Rio de Janeiro.
The hosts took the lead four minutes into the first half, with Ellen. She shared it with defender Tayla in the area and the ball passed between goalkeeper Carlinha's legs.
The advantage, however, only lasted a minute. At five, Serrana crossed from the right, on the baseline, and fellow striker Crivelari equalized. The turning point came at 12, again with Crivelari, heading in, after a free kick on the right.
In the second half, in the 28th minute, midfielder Karla Alves struck first, from the edge of the area, into goalkeeper Michelle's angle.
In stoppage time, in the 47th minute, full-back Clara appeared on the left and crossed for striker Mylena Carioca to complete. Then, midfielder Vi Amaral completed the rout, scoring her first professional goal.
Dispute for leadership
The São Paulo team reached the same 38 points as Timão, who remains at the top due to goal difference, 26 to 19.
The definition of who finishes the first phase in the lead is scheduled for next Saturday (22), with all games in the 17th and final round starting at 6pm (Brasília time). The tricolores host Mixto at Morumbis, while the alvinegras face Internacional at Parque São Jorge, also in São Paulo.
Botafogo, in turn, got complicated in the fight to stay in Series A1. The Gloriosas, who haven't won since the first round, remain in 18th and last position, with five points. Next Saturday, the Rio team will go to Porto Alegre to face Grêmio at Passo d'Areia.
As the last two placed teams fall to Series A2 (second division), the black and white team, in addition to winning in the capital of Rio Grande do Sul, will have to support Vitória and América-MG. The two teams have seven points, but the Minas Gerais team are ahead, in 16th, outside the relegation zone (the Z-2), due to goal difference (-24 to -29).
In the final round, the red and black teams from Salvador host Santos at Barradão. The Spartanas face Red Bull Bragantino at Independência, in Belo Horizonte.
Palmeiras and Flamengo win
Juventude also remains threatened by relegation. In another game this Sunday, the Esmeraldas ─ the nickname of the team from Rio Grande do Sul ─ lost to Palmeiras 3-0, at Arena Barueri, and remain with ten points, in 15th place. In the last round, the team from Caxias do Sul (RS) faces Bahia, at the Alfredo Jaconi Stadium, and needs at least a draw to avoid falling.
The Palestrinas took the lead in the 17th minute of the opening stage, with Gláucia. In the second half, at 17 and 24, fellow striker Bia Zaneratto took advantage of crosses from full-back Ana Guzmán on the right to set the score.
Palmeiras had 35 points, securing third place. Despite being able to equal the score of Corinthians and São Paulo if they defeat Cruzeiro at the Arena do Jacaré, in Sete Lagoas (MG), Verdão does not reach the number of victories (12) of their rivals.
Those who were also on the field this Sunday were Santos and Flamengo, who faced each other at Arena Inamar, in Diadema (SP). Meninas da Gávea won 3-2 and returned to the classification zone for the quarterfinals, which brings together the top eight (the G-8).
The red-blacks are in seventh, with the same 27 points as Cruzeiro, but are behind on goal difference (11 to 6). Sereias da Vila, with 20 points, are eliminated.
The Cariocas opened the scoring nine minutes into the game, with Fernandinha shooting from outside the area and benefiting from a deflection that covered goalkeeper Taty Amaro. At 19, Ketlen took a long shot and hit the crossbar. In addition, striker Laryh equalized the score.
In the final stage, at ten minutes, full-back Monalisa found Djeni in the area on the right. The midfielder rolled to the left for center forward Cristiane to finish and put Flamengo back in front. At 27, it was Djeni's turn to score the third, with a header. Santos scored with striker Carol Baiana in the 39th minute, but it was too late.
