Ceará 1-2 Palmeiras: Red card proves costly for hosts as Palmeiras land the win

Palmeiras enjoyed a mesmerising away victory against Ceará at Estadio Castelao on Saturday. Ceará arrived at the match looking pick up points after losing their last match 1-0 to Juventude. Palmeiras were hoping to increase their winning streak after back-to-back victories against Internacional and America Mineiro. After today’s result, Ceará and Palmeiras currently occupy 13th and 1st spots in the table, with 24 points and 39 points respectively after 20 matches.

Palmeiras found the net first, when Dudu gave Palmeiras the lead, at 31 minutes. Palmeiras then netted once more and increased their lead thanks to a goal from Jose Manuel Lopez just before halftime, finishing the first half 2-0.

Ceará took the lead in the second half, with a goal from Stiven Mendoza, 80 minutes in, leaving the final score at 2-1.

Substitutions for Ceará included Diego, Guilherme Castilho, Jhon Vasquez, Nino Paraiba and Victor Luis for Rodrigo Lindoso, Vinicius Lima, Cleber Bomfim, Michel and Bruno Pacheco, repectively. Palmeiras brought on Mayke, Vanderlan, Rafael Navarro, Breno and Gabriel Menino, to replace Marcos Rocha, Joaquin Piquerez, Jose Manuel Lopez, Dudu and Raphael Veiga.

The referee booked seven players. Vinicius Goes, Guilherme Castilho and Bruno Pacheco from Ceará, who saw yellow cards and Richardson, sent off with a red, as well as for Palmeiras Marcos Rocha, Joaquin Piquerez and Murilo Cerqueira received yellows.

Ceará will next travel to Botafogo, while Palmeiras will face Goiás EC at home.