Former Benfica Player Shocks Palmeiras in Closing Moments Dethroning Abel from Top Spot
Palmeiras faced a significant setback in the race for the Brazilian championship. Under the guidance of Portuguese coach Abel Ferreira, the team lost 1-0 to Santos at the Estádio Urbano Caldeira, also known as Vila Belmiro. This defeat, occurring in a delayed match of the 13th round, came from a last-minute goal by Benjamín Rollheiser.
Match Highlights and Key Events
Rollheiser, who had a brief stint at Benfica, netted the decisive goal in the dying moments of the game. He entered as a substitute for Zé Rafael and connected with a pass from Robson Júnior to score.
The loss places Palmeiras in second place with 68 points, trailing three points behind the newly crowned leaders, Flamengo. Earlier that day, Flamengo dominated Sport, winning 5-1 at Arena Pernambuco.
Expulsions and Momentum Shift
Palmeiras started strong, scoring early thanks to a goal from Pablo within 15 minutes. However, the game turned sour when Matheus Alexandre and Ramon Menezes were sent off before halftime. This left Palmeiras a man down and allowed Flamengo to turn the tide, with goals from Luiz Araújo, Juninho Vieira, Bruno Henrique, Ayrton Lucas, and Douglas Telles.
- Palmeiras Points: 68
- Flamengo Points: 71
- Goals by Flamengo: 5
- Upcoming Matches for Palmeiras: Atlético Mineiro, Vitória, Fluminense, Grêmio, and Ceará
- Upcoming Matches for Flamengo: Fluminense, Bragantino, Atlético Mineiro, Ceará, and Mirassol
Abel Ferreira’s Reaction
Despite this critical loss, Abel Ferreira remains optimistic. In a post-match press conference, he emphasized that there are still 15 points left to play for and stated, “We came to win, not to draw.”
He acknowledged the team’s struggles during the first half, noting the midfield’s inconsistency. Ferreira reflected on the adjustments made in the second half but lamented missed opportunities that could have changed the game’s outcome.
As the season progresses, the competition remains fierce. Each team must focus on their upcoming matches to secure their desired standings in the league.
