Ponte Preta 1-2 Goiás EC: Goiás snatch late win at Moisés Lucarelli

Goiás EC produced a spirited comeback to defeat Ponte Preta 2-1 at the Estádio Moisés Lucarelli on Sunday, climbing into the top five of the Brazilian Série B standings.

First Half: Ponte Preta Strike First

Ponte Preta started brightly and took a deserved lead in the 34th minute. Winger João Pedro latched onto a through ball from Lucas Alves and fired low into the corner past Goiás goalkeeper Marcos. The home side controlled possession but could not add a second before the break.

Goiás looked disjointed in the first half, failing to maintain possession in midfield. However, coach Márcio Fernandes made tactical adjustments at the interval, introducing Rafael Silva for added creativity in the final third.

Second Half: Goiás Turn the Tide

The visitors came out with renewed energy. In the 56th minute, a swift move down the left ended with Rafael Silva crossing for Eduardo Sasha, who headed home from close range to make it 1-1. The equaliser shifted momentum, and Ponte Preta began to sit deeper.

The winning goal arrived in the 83rd minute. A corner from the right was only half-cleared, falling to Vinícius Locatelli on the edge of the box. He controlled and lashed a left-footed shot through a crowd of bodies into the net. Ponte Preta pushed for an equaliser in stoppage time, but Goiás held firm.

Key Performances

• Rafael Silva (Goiás): Changed the game after coming on, providing the assist for the equaliser.
• Eduardo Sasha (Goiás): Clinical header to level the score, always dangerous in the box.
• Vinícius Locatelli (Goiás): Scored the winner with a composed finish under pressure.
• João Pedro (Ponte Preta): Brightest spark for the home side, scoring a fine opener.

Standings Impact

Goiás rise to 5th place with 25 points, just two points off the automatic promotion places. Ponte Preta drop to 12th with 18 points, now three points adrift of the playoff spots. The result gives Goiás a significant boost ahead of a crucial midweek clash with leaders Vitória.