Roque’s Brace Boosts Palmeiras' Title Run
Vitor Roque scored twice in the second half as Palmeiras secured a 2-0 victory over Santos on Thursday, widening their lead at the top of Brazil's Serie A.
Match Highlights
- Roque opened the scoring in the 67th minute by sprinting onto a pass from Juan Manuel Lopez, evading goalkeeper Gabriel Brazao, and calmly finishing into an empty net at Allianz Parque.
- The former Barcelona forward sealed the win ten minutes before the final whistle by lifting a shot over Brazao after receiving a through ball from Rafael Veiga.
Standings Impact
Palmeiras now hold 68 points, three clear of Flamengo, who sit second; both teams have seven matches remaining this season.
Coach's Comments
"In the first half we weren't able to translate our dominance into goals," said Palmeiras manager Abel Ferreira. "But that changed after halftime. With the changes that we made, we had great energy and looked to score at every opportunity. It's a deserved victory."
Other Serie A Results
- Ceara and Fortaleza played out a 1-1 draw at Ceara’s home ground.
- Fluminense secured a narrow 1-0 win at home against Mirassol.
Palmeiras' strong second-half performance, led by Roque's decisive goals, strengthens their quest for the league title.