Fortaleza lost 4-2 to Botafogo, at Nilton Santos (RJ), and will play in Series B of the Brazilian Championship in 2026. Leão was coming off an incredible recovery in the championship, with nine unbeaten games and four straight wins. But the defeat on Sunday afternoon (7) left the team in 18th place, with 43 points. 
In the 16th minute of the game, Breno Lopes hit a beautiful shot at the edge of the area and opened the scoring. In stoppage time of the initial stage, at 49, Montoro placed it neatly into the corner to tie the match. In the 2nd minute of the final stage, Vitinho crossed and Arthur Cabral turned towards Botafogo. At 6 minutes, an incredible move occurred. After Fortaleza finished, the ball hit Barrera’s arm inside the area. In the quick counterattack, the Cariocas scored the third goal with the same Barrera. However, the referee, assisted by VAR, disallowed the goal and awarded the penalty to Fortaleza. In the 10th minute, Bareiro scored and tied the game at 2-2. In the 38th minute, Santi took a corner and Marçal headed it into the back of the net to increase the score. In stoppage time, Mateo Ponte defined the counterattack and made it 4-2. Botafogo finished the tournament in 6th place with 63 and awaits the end of the Copa do Brasil to find out whether they will play in the Pre-Libertadores or will enter directly into the group stage of the continental tournament in 2026.
The other place in the Z-4 went to Ceará. Vozão lost 3-1 to Palmeiras, at a packed Castelão, and will play in Brazilian football’s Série B in 2026.
Vozão took the lead in this afternoon’s duel with center forward Pedro Raul, in the 11th minute. Lucas Mugni took a free kick at the second post, Willian Machado went to the middle and the scorer defined it. But soon, in the 16th minute, Palmeiras equalized. Bruno Fuchs crossed and Facundo Torres defined. In the final stage, at 15 minutes, Ramón Sosa took a free kick in the corner and defined Verdão’s comeback. In the 19th minute, Palmeiras scored another with Flaco López. Jefté crossed and the Argentine top scorer made it 3-1. With the results, Ceará finished in 17th place with 43 points. Palmeiras, who were already Brazilian runners-up, finished Nacional with 76 points.
In addition to the duo from Ceará, Sport and Juventude (already relegated for a longer time) will be in Série B in 2026.
Vitória beats São Paulo and escapes relegation
Vitória beat São Paulo 1-0, at Estádio Barradão, in Salvador, and managed to remain in Série A of the Brasileirão for 2026. The Bahians’ goal was scored in the 22nd minute of the final stage. After a good exchange of passes, Kayzer passed to Fabri. He adjusted and provided a good assist for Baralhas to score the goal. With the result, Vitória reached 46 points and rose to 15th place. São Paulo finished the championship in 8th place, with 51 points. Thus, Tricolor Paulista is still waiting for the end of the Copa do Brasil to find out whether it will compete in the Pre-Libertadores or the South American in 2026. To play in the main continental competition, São Paulo needs Cruzeiro or Fluminense to win the Copa do Brasil.
Inter beats Bragantino in suffocation and remains in the Brasileirão Elite
Internacional beat Bragantino 3-1 at the Beira-Rio Stadium, in Porto Alegre, this Sunday afternoon, in the 38th round of the Brasileirão 2025. This way, they will play in the Nacional Series A in 2026. Colorado ended the tournament with 44 points, in 16th place. In addition to Inter’s victory, the Porto Alegre club had to count on Palmeiras’ 3-1 victory over Ceará and Botafogo’s 4-2 victory over Fortaleza in Rio de Janeiro. Bragantino was in 9th place, with 49 points.
Inter’s winning goals were scored by defender Mercado, with a header, in the fourth minute of the final stage, Alan Patrick, with a penalty, in the 31st minute, and Carbonero, in a quick counterattack, in the 35th minute. In the 42nd minute, Jhon Jhon still had time to score for Bragantino.
Other results
Fluminense 2 x 0 Bahia
Corinthans 1 x 1 Youth
Atlético-MG 5 x 0 Vasco
Sport 0 x 4 Grêmio
Santos 3-0 Cruzeiro
