Atlético kicked off the second half.
The striker passed it back to the midfielder, who then played it safely to the defenders.
Vila Nova pressed right away, pushing higher up the field than before. They seemed more organized now.
You could see the difference from the very first minute.
In the 46th minute, Davi won the ball in midfield with a clean tackle, taking it from Atlético's defensive midfielder. He quickly sent it up to Enzo, who was already moving forward. Enzo turned and passed it wide to João on the right.
Their play was better, sharper, and more connected than it had been in the first half.
João pushed forward and crossed the ball into the 18-yard box, but it was too high and sailed over everyone. Still, the intent was clear.
Atlético tried to counter. Their winger picked up the ball on the left and drove forward, but Davi tracked back and blocked the passing lane, forcing him to turn back.
In the 47th minute, Bernardo dropped back to collect the ball from the defense. With time and space, he looked up and played a perfect pass between the lines to Rafael.
Rafael brought it down with his chest and immediately laid it off to Gustavo on the left.
Gustavo finally had some space because the Atlético right-back had pushed up too far. This was his chance.
Gustavo drove forward, taking a couple of touches. He could almost hear the coach's voice in his head. He looked up—Luiz was running to the back post, Bernardo was arriving late in the box, and Rafael was tightly marked.
Should he cross or cut inside? He decided to cross.
He whipped in a low, hard cross with his left foot at the perfect height.
Luiz stretched to reach it and made solid contact with the ball. But something happened next.
CLANG!
The ball hit the post with a loud thud, and the whole stadium groaned.
But the ball was still in play as it bounced back into the box. Players scrambled to reach it first, bodies everywhere.
Bernardo was in the right place at the right time, sprinting in from outside the area. Without breaking stride, he opened up and side-footed it first time.
Thump!
The ball spun into the open net from just outside the six-yard box. The goalkeeper could only watch as it settled in.
2-2!
The stadium erupted with noise.
"GOOOOOOOOOL!"
Bernardo slid on his knees with his arms wide open. His teammates swarmed him. Luiz grabbed his head, Rafael jumped on his back, and even Gustavo ran over, looking relieved. Maybe the chance he created would make up for earlier.
On the bench, Leandro clapped as he watched the celebration. His heart pounded with excitement. The game was tied and wide open now.
Coach Domingos clapped on the sideline but didn't celebrate much. He just gestured to the team. "Keep going! Don't stop!"
The scouts in the VIP box took notes. Bernardo had just shown real composure with his movement and finish when it mattered most.
The game restarted.
Atlético looked shaken now. They had been comfortable at 2-1, but now the pressure was back on.
In the 49th minute, Vila Nova nearly took the lead after Enzo won the ball high up the pitch. He passed to Bernardo, who turned and shot from distance, but it flew just wide.
The tempo picked up as both teams traded attacks.
Atlético had a chance in the 50th minute when their midfielder broke free and played a through ball to the striker. Luckily, Miguel rushed out and smothered it.
Vila Nova countered right away from Miguel's long throw. João sprinted forward on the right, passed inside to Enzo, and Enzo played it diagonally to Luiz.
Luiz was thirty yards out with no clear passing options and defenders closing in fast, so he decided to shoot.
He struck it cleanly with his left foot, making perfect contact. The ball flew toward the top corner and looked like it was going in, but then something happened.
CLANG!
It hit the side of the post!
The ball bounced away for a goal kick.
"Ahhh!" Luiz put his hands on his head. "So close."
The ball had hit the post twice in just three minutes.
The Atlético keeper grabbed the ball and set it up for a goal kick, but before he could take it, the referee blew his whistle to stop play.
Fweee!
Both coaches called their players over to the sideline to make substitutions.
Atlético made four changes to bring fresh legs into midfield and defense, while Vila Nova made six substitutions.
The fourth official held up the board on Vila Nova's side.
Numbers flashed: 3, 5, 8, 9, 11, 7.
Out: Thiago, Davi, Enzo, Rafael, Luiz, Gustavo.
In: Murilo, Renan Lodi, Bruno, Pedro, Otávio, and Leandro Silver.
Leandro stood up, unzipped his warmup jacket, and tossed it on the bench. He jogged to the sideline where Coach Domingos waited with the other subs.
The coach pulled them into a quick huddle.
"Right. Listen up," Coach said. "Murilo, stay tight in the left-back position. Don't give their winger space. Renan, be strong in the defensive mid. Sit tight and protect our final third."
He turned to Bruno. "Box-to-box. I want you supporting Bernardo to press high."
Then to the forwards. "Pedro, lead the line. Hold the ball up and take your chances, if any. Otávio, you're in the right wing. Make runs in behind and stretch out their defense."
Finally, he turned to Leandro.
"Silver. You're in left wing. I want you pressing their right-back every time he gets the ball. Don't give him a second to breathe. Offensively, stay wide and make runs. If you get the ball, use it smart. No hero plays. Clear?"
"Yes, Coach."
"Good. Now get out there."
The players coming off were already at the sideline. Thiago looked exhausted, Davi stood with his hands on his hips, a bit disappointed. Enzo nodded at Bruno as they passed. Rafael and Luiz jogged off together, frustrated they hadn't finished their chances. Gustavo walked slowly with his head down. When he reached the sideline, he passed Leandro, and for a moment, their eyes met.
Gustavo's expression was hard to read. Was it shame, anger, or maybe relief that it was over?
He opened his mouth as if to say something, then closed it and kept walking to the bench.
Leandro didn't have time to think about it. He jogged onto the field and took his spot on the left wing.
Bernardo jogged over. "Hey. Just stay wide. I'll find you when I can."
Leandro nodded. "Got it."
The referee checked that all the substitutions were done and both teams were ready, then blew his whistle.
Fweee!
The game restarted.