Avaí beats Figueirense in a comeback victory.

In a breathtaking match, Figueirense, the favorite, became the protagonist in Avaí's recovery in the Brazilian Championship. The black-and-white team dominated, led the score for much of the game, squandered numerous chances, and was punished with a 3-2 defeat, after leading, against their biggest rival in the 395th derby in the history of the two teams from the capital of Santa Catarina.

Striker William was the hero of Avaí's victory, scoring two goals. Avaí remains in the relegation zone with 17 points. Figueirense, with the defeat, dropped two positions in the table. They are now 10th, with 26 points. Both teams play again on Wednesday. Avaí hosts Flamengo at Ressacada and Figueirense faces Cruzeiro in Ipatinga.

Considering the movement of both teams, the first 45 minutes of the match passed like a flash. Figueirense applied strong pressure and took the initiative until a little over halfway through the period. Exchanging good passes and taking advantage of the "holes" in the Avaí defense, the home team dictated the game. 

With midfielder Elias taking a free kick in the eighth minute forcing a fine save from goalkeeper Felipe, Wellington Nem also heading a corner kick out in the ninth minute, and midfielder Acleisson taking a shot from outside the area that hit the crossbar in Avaí's first offensive play, these were moments that took the breath away from the nearly 20,000 fans at the Orlando Scarpelli Stadium.

But the explosion of joy from the Figueirense fans truly happened in the 19th minute. That's when midfielder Ygor rose in defense to head the ball towards the back of the net. The ball hit the post and goalkeeper Felipe before going in. Figueirense still missed an opportunity to extend their lead in the 27th minute when Júlio César shot wide from a penalty kick he himself had won after Pedro Ken was fouled inside the area.

The Figueirense striker's blunder woke up the Avaí team, which focused its actions on the debutant Lincoln. At 34 minutes, he forced a spectacular save from the Figueirense goalkeeper with a header in the corner. Wilson stretched out to prevent the equalizer. Avaí grew in the match and at 38 minutes equalized the score with a header. Figueirense avoided going into the second half without an advantage at 45 minutes, when striker Júlio César shot three times. On the first attempt, the goalkeeper saved. On the second, the ball hit the post and on the third he was accurate, regaining the advantage for the Figueirense team.

Despite dominating possession and having a higher volume of offensive plays, Figueirense squandered numerous chances in the opening minutes of the second half. At three minutes, Júlio César missed a clear goal opportunity after a beautiful pass from midfielder Maicon. At seven minutes, Maicon decided to take a chance and shot wide with the defense open. Then, showing opportunism, striker William, who had been quiet in the game until then, began to display his talent and resourcefulness. This was evident at 14 minutes, when he received a pass from the right, put his foot through the ball, and slotted it into Wilson's net. The game remained engaging, with Figueirense holding the attention of the fans, but lacking efficiency in their finishing.

Between the 20th and 40th minutes, forwards Somália, Júlio César, and midfielder Fernandes wasted numerous chances. There were at least two shots that hit the post and three others that were either intercepted by the defense or saved by goalkeeper Felipe.

And, when it seemed that Avaí had already resigned themselves to a draw at their rival's home ground, the turnaround came. It happened in the 42nd minute. William took advantage of a free kick taken by winger Romano, rising in the middle of the area, and placed it in the corner, giving goalkeeper Wilson no chance. "This serves to rehabilitate our team. How great it is to score a goal at Scarpelli," joked striker William, next to the fence with the fans, after the referee's final whistle.