Bahia debuted with a rout in the first phase of the São Paulo Junior Football Cup, Copinha, the biggest grassroots football competition in Brazil. The 5-0 victory over Inter de Limeira-SP in Group 9 had hat trick (three goals) from number 9 Juninho in the second half, and João Andrade and Pedrinho found the net in the initial stage.
The 56th edition of the tournament, which opened on Friday (2), brings together 128 teams, divided into 34 groups with four teams, whose athletes are aged between 16 and 21. The top two in each group advance to the knockout stage (eight knockout games). The title decision took place on January 25th – a municipal holiday in honor of the founding of São Paulo – at Arena Pacaembu. Cup matches have live broadcast (on streaming) on the São Paulo Football Federation (FPF) YouTube channel.
Another team from Bahia that did well in its debut today was Atlético de Alagoinhas: they won 2-0 against Santa Fé-SP. Corinthians won 1-0 over Trindade-GO, with a goal from Favela in the 36th minute of the second half. Part of the 26 games in the first round of the Copinha scheduled for this Saturday (3) will be completed at the end of the night. Check it out HERE the programming.
The traditional tournament that opens the national football season is a showcase of talent. Stars such as Raí (1993), Fred (2003) and Neymar (2009) have already emerged on São Paulo’s lawns during the Copinha. In 2022 it was Endrick’s turn – formerly of Palmeiras and currently at Lyon (France) – to stand out and, last year, Breno Bidon (Corinthians) and Ryan Francisco (São Paulo) stood out in the competition.
The current champion is São Paulo, which holds five titles, the same total as Fluminense and Internacional. However, the biggest winner of the Copinha is Corinthians, with 11 cups.
IT’S THE FAVELA DA FIEL! Corinthians’ number 9 scored the winning goal in the debut of Copinha Sil 2026! #CopinhaSil2026 pic.twitter.com/gpSM5jZyRL
— Copinha (@Copinha) January 3, 2026
Other results from this Saturday (3)
Group 1 – Chapecoense-SC 3 x 2 Volta Redonda-RJ
Group 3 – Tanabi-SP 1 x 0 Sobradinho-DF and Goiás-GO 3 x 1 América-RN
Group 6 – Grêmio Prudent-SP 2 x 1 Carajás-PA
Group 8 – XV de Jaú-SP 2 x 1 Luverdense-MT
Group 9 – América-SP 0 x 0 -AL
Group 11 – Bandeirante-SP 0 x 0 Tuna Luso-PA and Santa Cruz-PE 1 x 3 Botafogo-SP
Group 12 – I9 FC-SP 0 x 3 Guanabara City-GO
Group 28 – Flamengo-SP 1 x 0 Rio Branco-ES and Vitória-BA 2 x 2 Capivariano-SP
