League

Inferno Azul
Spectators: 7577 (Terracing: 5683, Seating: 1743, VIP seats: 151) Libertadores's Paulo Recife started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. After 3 played minutes U18 Cruzeiro got a freekick which was hit by Toninho Sanches. A sloppy throw-in by Dé Melo in the 6th minute of the game went astray and was snapped up by Libertadores's Humberto Catarinense. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Generoso Gasteiz in the 16th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Luiz Fernando Souza prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Luiz Fernando Souza took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Ricardinho Matos, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After 19 played minutes U18 Cruzeiro got a freekick which was hit by Toninho Sanches. After some fancy dribbling in the 20th minute, Ricardinho Matos managed to get in a good position for a shot. Libertadores's supporters rose to their feet, but Ricardinho Matos was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Luiz Fernando Souza breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Luiz Fernando Souza took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Generoso Gasteiz, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. U18 Cruzeiro's Luiz Fernando Souza played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Generoso Gasteiz in the 23rd minute of play. Luiz Fernando Souza made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Paulo Recife in the 32nd minute of play. 33 minutes into the match, Jhon Rabelo notched a goal, 1-0, to the right of Libertadores's Hélio Neiva. Hélio Neiva was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. In the 36th minute, Ricardinho Matos made a precise shot to the right of Luiz Fernando Souza. U18 Cruzeiro's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 1-1. In the 42nd minute of the match Gilvan Rosa sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Luiz Fernando Souza skillfully saved the ball. In the 46th match minute, U18 Cruzeiro was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Henrique Torres to maneuver through the defense. The first half was very even, with the score at 1-1 when the whistle went for half-time. The players welcomed the break and quickly retired to the dressing rooms.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Jhon Rabelo stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. The crowd rose to their feet as Libertadores's Generoso Gasteiz slotted home a wonderful shot that went in to the left of Luiz Fernando Souza. That made the score 1-2 after 53 minutes of play. After 57 minutes, Robinho Guerra mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the U18 Cruzeiro and the Libertadores players grew even worse after the yellow card. After 57 played minutes U18 Cruzeiro got a freekick which was hit by Robinho Guerra. An unexpected shot in the 59th minute by Cauã Porto got the crowd on their feet, but to their dismay it went out on the left side. Luiz Fernando Souza made an important save on a dangerous shot by Paulo Recife in the 62nd minute. After 64 minutes, Ernesto Barral mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Libertadores and the U18 Cruzeiro players grew even worse after the yellow card. If Jhon Rabelo had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 66th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 68th match minute, Libertadores was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Ernesto Barral to maneuver through the defense. With a little luck, U18 Cruzeiro's Luiz Fernando Souza got control of the ball when Cauã Porto tried to sneak it across the goal line. Paulo Recife's shot when he came free in front of the goal in the 73rdth minute, Luiz Fernando Souza skillfully showed off with a save to what seemed to be an obvious goal. Pedrão Abreu hit a great freekick 74 minutes into the match. A collision led to U18 Cruzeiro getting a freekick after 76 minutes play. Robinho Guerra hit a great ball. The throw-in from Gilvan Rosa in the 79th minute of the game was unfortunally taken care of by U18 Cruzeiro's Toninho Sanches. Luiz Fernando Souza made a fantastic save in the 90th minute, when Generoso Gasteiz sent off a good shot on target. Libertadores's Generoso Gasteiz got a good chance for a goal in the 96th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. When the match was over Libertadores could go home with a victory in their luggage, having controlled the game far better than U18 Cruzeiro throughout the match.