In a night where goalkeepers stole the show, Avaí and Fortaleza played out a goalless draw on Sunday at the Ressacada stadium, during the eighth round of the Brazilian Série B. The standout performer was Fortaleza’s Vinícius Silvestre, who made three crucial saves to deny the home side in Florianópolis.
The result extended Avaí’s winless run to six matches, leaving them with 10 points in mid-table. Meanwhile, Fortaleza remained on 15 points but lost the league lead to IVAL Sport (16 points).
Despite facing a confident Fortaleza side, Avaí took control of the first half. In the third minute, DG received the ball in the box, attempted to dribble past goalkeeper Vinícius, but was thwarted by the shot-stopper. Eleven minutes in, Thayllon tried a long-range effort but fired over the bar.
After weathering Avaí’s early pressure, Fortaleza responded in the 20th minute when Brítez headed just wide from a corner kick. Avaí created the best chance of the half in the 30th minute, with Jean Lucas forcing a brilliant save from Vinícius, keeping the game level at halftime.
The second half started in similar fashion, with Avaí almost breaking the deadlock in the sixth minute through Thayllon, who was denied by another miraculous stop from Vinícius. Five minutes later, Thayllon received a pass from Rafael Bilu, found himself one-on-one with the keeper, but sent his shot wide of the post.
Avaí wasted another golden opportunity in the 15th minute when Daniel Penha struck the crossbar from the edge of the box. The game then lost tempo until the 33rd minute, when Maílton delivered a precise cross and Ronald headed wide.
After regaining momentum, Fortaleza had a big chance in the 40th minute through Welliton, who dribbled past two defenders and forced a save from Léo Aragão. Two minutes later, Vinícius Silvestre, the man of the match, sealed the draw by denying Zé Ricardo’s long-range effort with another fine save.
In stoppage time, Fortaleza lost head coach Thiago Carpini, midfielder Pierre, and defender Brítez to red cards. Carpini was sent off for dissent, Pierre received a straight red after being substituted, and Brítez picked up a second yellow card for a hard foul on Sorriso.
With little time to rest, both teams now prepare for the ninth round of Série B. On Sunday, May 17, at 6 p.m. local time, Avaí will travel to the Onésio Brasileiro Alvarenga stadium to face Vila Nova-GO. Immediately after, at 6:30 p.m., Fortaleza will play a derby against Ceará at Arena Castelão.
Before that, Fortaleza will return to action on Thursday, May 14, at 8 p.m. for the second leg of the Copa do Brasil’s fifth round, facing CRB at Rei Pelé stadium in Maceió. Having won the first leg 2-1, the Ceará side needs only a draw to advance.
**Match Details:**
**Avaí 0 x 0 Fortaleza**
**Avaí:** Léo Aragão; Wallison, Guilherme Aquino, Baldini, DG; Zé Ricardo, Luiz Henrique (Hyan), Jean Lucas (Sorriso), Daniel Penha (Avenatti); Rafael Bilu (Wenderson), Thayllon (Isaías). Coach: Cauan de Almeida.
**Fortaleza:** Vinícius Silvestre; Britez, Kauã Rocha (Ronald), Luan Freitas; Maílton, Pierre (Welliton), Ryan (Rodrigo Santos), Pochettino (Lucas Sasha), Maurício Mucuri; Vitinho (Kayke Queiroz), Luiz Fernando. Coach: Thiago Carpini.
**Yellow cards:** Baldini, Ryan, Guilherme Aquino, Brítez, DG.
**Red cards:** Thiago Carpini, Brítez, Pierre (Fortaleza).
**Revenue:** R$ 124,224.00.
**Attendance:** 5,270 fans.
**Referee:** Paulo César Zanovelli da Silva (MG).
**Venue:** Estádio da Ressacada, Florianópolis (SC).
