Palmeiras seeks a draw against Athletico and decides Recopa at home

With a penalty converted in the final minute of the match, Palmeiras sought a 2-2 draw against Athletico this Wednesday (23), in the first leg of the Recopa Sudamericana.

In the confrontation between the champion of Libertadores and the winner of the Copa Sudamericana, the definition of who will win the cup was left for the return match, on March 2, at Allianz Parque. There is no longer an away goal as a tiebreaker.

Terans and Marlos scored for the team led by Alberto Valentim, while midfielder Jailson and midfielder Raphael Veiga scored the goals of the Palmeiras team.

Eleven days after playing and losing the Club World Cup decision to Chelsea, Palmeiras returned to compete in a final with some important absences, especially in defense. Gustavo Gómez tested positive for Covid-19 and was vetoed, while Luan is recovering from a thigh injury.

Without the pair, Abel Ferreira’s team ended up falling behind in front of Paraná after a mistake in a corner kick. In the 18th minute, the ball was left for Terans to push into the net. The move needed to be checked by VAR (video referee), who took four minutes to verify a possible offside, unconfirmed.

The advantage of the hosts, however, did not reflect the scenario of the game until then. Palmeiras not only had more possession of the ball, but also created good opportunities to score. So much so that he soon sought a tie, in the 28th minute, with Jailson. Before the break, Ron almost turned, but hit the post in the 47th minute.

There was a greater balance in the second half, with both teams looking for the goal. The visitors, however, pressed harder, while the hosts explored counterattacks.

And it was precisely in a move of speed that Athletico ended up reaching the second goal. Marlos, who came on in the second half, made a good individual move on the right, cut to the middle and finished with a cross kick to overcome Weverton, in the 31st minute.

15 seconds from the end of stoppage time determined by the referee, Wesley invaded the area and suffered a penalty. In the charge, Raphael Veiga tied the match again, closing the score.