In a thrilling encounter at the Arena Amazônia, Avaí secured a convincing 2-0 victory over Amazonas-AM on Monday night, marking an essential win in the fourth round of the 2025 Campeonato Brasileiro Série B. Alef Manga opened the scoring early in the match, netting a stunning goal just seven minutes in, followed by a late first-half goal from JP, ensuring Avaí's continued unbeaten run in the competition.
The match kicked off at 18:00 local time, and Avaí wasted no time asserting their dominance. Alef Manga, who has emerged as a key player for the Leão, capitalized on a defensive mishap from Amazonas-AM, receiving a pass and unleashing a precise low shot from just outside the box that nestled into the corner of the net, leaving goalkeeper Renan with no chance. This early goal set the tone for the match, as Avaí quickly established their attacking rhythm.
Despite the setback, Amazonas-AM fought back with determination. They had their first real chance in the 26th minute when Luqinhas made a dangerous run down the left flank and forced a spectacular save from Avaí's goalkeeper César, who stretched to tip the ball over the crossbar. However, it was Avaí who continued to press, with Alef Manga coming close to doubling the lead shortly after his opener.
As the first half progressed, both teams exchanged chances, but it was Avaí who would strike again just before the halftime whistle. In a moment of defensive lapse from Amazonas-AM, JP seized the opportunity, intercepting a poor pass and racing into the box. He calmly slotted the ball past Renan, sending the visitors into the break with a comfortable 2-0 lead.
The second half saw Avaí maintain control of the match, and they nearly added a third goal shortly after the restart. Marcos Vinícius broke down the right side and unleashed a powerful shot that rattled the crossbar, leaving the home side breathing a sigh of relief.
On the other end, Amazonas-AM looked to mount a comeback. Henrique Almeida found himself one-on-one with César after a defensive error from Avaí, but the goalkeeper stood tall, denying the home side a crucial goal that could have turned the tide of the match.
Compounding their woes, Amazonas suffered a significant blow when Luquinhas received a straight red card for a reckless challenge, reducing them to ten men and further complicating their chances of staging a comeback.
As the match wore on, Avaí expertly managed their lead, with their defense holding firm against any late attempts from Amazonas-AM. The final whistle confirmed Avaí's victory, solidifying their position in the top tier of the league standings.
With this win, Avaí now sits in fourth place with eight points, just one point behind league leaders Athletico and América. Their next challenge will come on Saturday, April 26, when they host América Saf-MG at the Dr. Aderbal Ramos da Silva stadium in Florianópolis.
Historically, this match marked the third encounter between these two sides, with Avaí now holding two wins to Amazonas-AM's one. The Leão has scored a total of four goals in their meetings while conceding three, showcasing their competitive edge in this budding rivalry.
Following the match, Avaí's coach, Jair Ventura, expressed satisfaction with his team's performance, emphasizing the importance of maintaining momentum as they look forward to their upcoming fixtures. "We played a solid game today, and the boys executed our game plan perfectly. We need to keep this intensity as we move forward in the season," he stated.
Meanwhile, Amazonas-AM's interim coach, Ibson Silva, acknowledged the challenges his team faced, especially with injuries to key players like Carlos Akapo, Diego Borges, and Bruno Ramires. He remained optimistic, however, stating, "We need to regroup and focus on our next match. The support from our fans will be crucial in turning our fortunes around."
The match attracted a crowd of 2,695 spectators, generating a revenue of R$ 32,420.00, highlighting the local support for both teams in this crucial stage of the league.
As the teams head into the next round, both Avaí and Amazonas-AM will be looking to build on their respective performances, with Avaí aiming to maintain their spot in the playoff positions and Amazonas-AM desperate for their first win of the season.
