Palmeiras' first-half penalty came with far better chances

Palmeiras beat RB Bragantino 2-0 at the Nubank Parque, and the penalty before half-time sits on top of a much stronger attacking performance than usual.

Palmeiras went in at the break ahead, and the moment that did it came in the 45th minute. VAR confirmed a penalty for the home side, and Maurício Magalhães Prado sent the kick in. Earlier, Ramon Sosa had a goal ruled out by VAR in the 20th minute, so the referee's screen had already been busy before the spot kick arrived.

Palmeiras had 56% of the ball, close to their home average of 55.4%, so keeping possession was ordinary for them. The shooting was not. They took 24 shots, against their usual 17.9 at home and the 14.9 a side typically takes in this league, and seven of those efforts were on target.

Their expected goals, a figure that gives each chance a value based on how likely it was to go in, came to 3.35. Their home average is 1.49, and the league average per side is 1.32, so the quality of what they created was well above what they normally produce.

RB Bragantino had 44% of the ball, a little under the 49.5% they average away from home. They managed 11 shots, below the 17.3 they usually take on their travels, and their expected goals of 0.44 is far short of the 1.47 they normally create. Tiago Volpi made four saves in their goal, which was the busiest of either goalkeeper in the match.

Agustin Giay scored in the 77th minute, with José Manuel López credited with the assist. Giay had four shots over the game and finished with the highest rating of anyone on the pitch, an 8.2. Maurício, who scored the penalty, was rated 7.5, and his goal was the one that set the tone before the break.

Bragantino's away average is 1.2 goals scored and 1.5 conceded, and here they failed to score while conceding two. Palmeiras average 1.8 at home, so two goals was a little above their usual return, and it came after a half in which the shooting did most of the work. Bragantino have won one of their last six away matches.

Palmeiras stand second in the table on 66 points from 31 matches. Bragantino are 10th on 41 points from the same number of games, and they leave Palmeiras having created far less than they usually do on the road.

Player of the matchA. Giay1 goal8.2

Bruno Fuchs1 chance created7.8

Maurício1 goal7.5

Carlos Miguel2 saves7.5