On the one hand, as principal in the Pernambuco Arena crowded with more than 45,000 fans, Santa Cruz, with 111 years of history. On the other, founded only 13 years ago and coming from Balneário Camboriú, in Santa Catarina, Barra Futebol Clube.
Contrary to prognoses, at the opening of the final confrontation of Serie D 2025, on Saturday (27), Barra defeated Santa Cruz, 2-1 and now only needs a draw in the return game next Saturday (4/10) at home, to become the champion of the competition.
Renato scored Santa’s goal; Elvinho and Barnabas decreed the turn. A Santa Cruz victory in the second game by a difference goal leads to the definition of the champion for the penalty shootout. If Tricolor wins by two goals or more difference, it takes the trophy.
The first half was moved. It started with a blackout that paralyzed the match for a few minutes. On the way back, Geovany Soares hit the post and shortly thereafter came the goal of Santa Cruz. After crossing from the left, Renato appeared inside the area and deflected his head to open the scoring.
The bar reacted shortly after. Taking advantage of the tricolor ball, Elvinho straightened to his right leg and kicked hard from outside the area, finding the bottom of the net on the left side of the goalkeeper defended by goalkeeper Rokenedy.
In the second half, Santa almost resumed the front on the scoreboard, but Thiago Galhardo’s header, in the face of the goal, was diverted providentially by goalkeeper Ewerthon.
Barra, which let the home team have dominated possession and sought to explore the few opportunities it created, found gold when Bernabé received a low cross from the right, anticipated the defense and deflected to the goal, beating Rokenedy again.
Even with the pressure of the Pernambuco tricolor, who was closer to another goal was Barra. Saimon was released and, inside the area, stopped at Rokenedy. Santa tried to lift balls in the area, but was unsuccessful and left the field defeated.
Throughout the D Series, Santa Cruz had only been defeated as principal once, still in the classification phase, when he lost to the central 1-0 on June 29.
Now, if you want to win the title of the competition, you will have to defeat an even stronger host: in 11 matches as principal, Barra has nine wins, a draw and a defeat. The only defeat, in the final round of the classification phase, to Brazil of Pelotas, on July 27, was also the last setback of the team in the competition.
In the knockout, the fisherman now adds seven wins and two draws in nine games.
Both teams have already secured a place in Serie C of 2026, along with the other two teams that arrived at the semifinal (Maranhão and Inter de Limeira).
