Avaí defeated Sport Recife 2:1 at Estádio da Ressacada on Wednesday evening, extending their recent form in the Série B Regular Season. The match, played in round 23 of the Brazilian second division, ended with a last-gasp goal from Leo Gamalho. Diego Hernandez had already opened the scoring for the hosts, and Romildo Del Piage added a second before the visitors could respond.
The first half passed without incident, though both sides exchanged possession in the middle third. Avaí made a substitution at the interval through Felipinho, while Sport Recife brought on Leo Chu for their first change. Paulo Vitor picked up a booking in the 47th minute, the first caution of the match.
Diego Hernandez ended a barren spell with a goal in the 66th minute, putting the home side ahead. Romildo Del Piage doubled the lead seven minutes later, and the visitors began to search for a way back into the game. Avaí made two changes in quick succession as Marlon Douglas and Paulo Vitor came off.
Sport Recife dominated possession but struggled to create clear opportunities. They recorded 0.48 expected goals against Avaí's 1.51, and their shots accuracy of 31 per cent did not yield a single strike on target. The visitors camped in the final third but found the home defence well organized, with 16 clearances and 15 interceptions breaking up their attacks.
Leo Gamalho picked up where his teammates left off, scoring in the 90th minute to complete the turnaround. The result moves Avaí further from the relegation zone, while Sport Recife remain eighth with 38 points from 25 games. The hosts sit 16th with 29 points, though they have played the same number of matches.