Fortaleza and Athletic drew 2:2 in Serie B Regular Season matchday 30 at Estádio Castelan on Sunday. The result leaves both sides where they were before kick-off, with the hosts still second and the visitors in 13th place. And here's the thing — five goals on the board but the final score reads 2:2, which is enough to keep anyone watching from the stands scratching their head.
Kauan Gabriel Cordeiro Lindes opened the scoring for Athletic in the 42nd minute before Rodrigo Henrique Santos De Souza won a penalty that was confirmed by VAR in injury time at the half. Maílton converted the spot-kick just four minutes later, then Lucas Sasha gave Fortaleza the lead five minutes into the second half. Enzo Henrique dos Santos added a fifth goal in the 60th minute, completing a chaotic first 90 minutes.
Fortaleza made three changes around the hour mark — Dixon Vera, Joao Victor Broad Moreira Guimaraes, and Marcelo Henrique Laborão dos Santos all came off. Athletic responded with two substitutions in the 69th minute, bringing on Jhan Pool Torres Cañete and Pedro Henrique. Felipe Negrucci Berdague and Rodrigo Henrique Santos De Souza followed in the 83rd and 85th minutes, with Lucas Sasha the last change of the game in stoppage time.
Fortaleza dominated possession at 68 per cent and registered 93 attacks compared to Athletic's 39. They created three big chances and generated 2.15 expected goals, but their shot accuracy sat at 44 per cent. Athletic were more efficient with their chances — two big chances created and 1.0 expected goals, but only three shots on target from 39 attacks. They cleared their lines 32 times and made 13 tackles, while Fortaleza managed just five clearances and three tackles.
Fortaleza sit second in the table with 52 points from 30 games — 14 wins, 10 draws, six defeats. Athletic are 13th with 42 points, having won 10, drawn 12, and lost eight. The hosts have won two of their last five matches, while Athletic's recent form is mixed, with two wins and two draws in their last four games.
