Without intruders and without 0-0, Copa do Brasil becomes Series A knockout

Paraná and Rio Grande do Sul could lose by a goal difference in an attempt to join Atlético Mineiro, Santos, Vasco, Palmeiras, Cruzeiro and Grêmio. In the first matches, Athletico and Inter won 2-0.

RETURN GAMES

After four first games of the round of 16 ended 0-0, the attacks led to the goal.

Vasco and Fluminense had mishandled the ball in the first game. They made 33 fouls (17 from Cruzmaltino) and shot on goal only four times (three from the Tricolors).

On Wednesday (5), tactical behavior changed. The Vasco team entered with three midfielders and dominated the first half. The choice of Portuguese coach Pedro Emanuel facilitated freedom of attack, and Brenner, new to the starting lineup, scored the first with a shot from outside the area.

In the second stage, knowing that the tricolors would need to open up, Vasco took advantage of the counterattacks and expanded with Brenner. From then on, coach Luis Zubeldia decided to change things offensively. He included Ganso, Hulk and Soteldo. He pressed and scored the first, but Vasco didn't just play closed and set up the counterattacks well until expanding at the end with Puma.

In the end, the duel ended with 13 shots on goal (nine from Vasco). On the other hand, the number of absences also increased: 36 (25 from Vasco).

At Mineirão, what already looked like a game of attack versus defense became even more evident after Max Alves was sent off in stoppage time of the first half.

Chapecoense entered with all its players behind the defensive midline and, even after conceding the goal, did not hit a single ball into the opponent's goal.

Cruzeiro had to be patient and count on the rise of defender Fabrício Bruno to try to open up spaces. The pressure and calm had an effect, and the Minas Gerais club opened the scoring with Matheus Henrique, who literally gave his blood.

After shooting over goalkeeper Anderson, he went up with his head to get the rebound and, in the process, ended up taking an unintentional shot at Eduardo Doma's nose. The Cruzeiro midfielder ended up being replaced with a fractured nose.

The second half continued with Chapecoense retreating and trying to counterattack, but Cruzeiro expanded, with a penalty, through Kaio Jorge.

In Porto Alegre, confusing refereeing almost complicated Grêmio's first victory in history over Mirassol.

The team from Rio Grande do Sul did not have a penalty scored in their favor. On the other hand, the São Paulo team saw a goal disallowed in a controversial move after the ball touched the athlete's arm.

In Cuiabá, Fortaleza gave trouble to a mixed team from Palmeiras. They won 3-2, but, as they had lost 3-0 in the first leg, the people from São Paulo took the place.

On Tuesday (4), Santos and Atlético-MG secured their place by beating Remo and Juventude 1-0 away from home, respectively.