São Paulo debuted with victory in the 2026 Copa do Brasil. Coach Roger Machado’s team hosted Juventude (RS) at the Morumbi stadium on Tuesday night (21) and, despite a lot of pressure, won just 1-0.
Luciano scored with a header in the 31st minute of the first half after a cross from the right by Artur.
Juventude, who had already come under great pressure in the first half, saw their situation become more complicated just 2 minutes into the second half. The left-back, Diogo Barbosa, was sent off after making a harsh tackle on Luciano. Judge Lucas Torezin, who had initially given a yellow card, consulted VAR and expelled the player from the Gaucho team.
In the 45th minute of the second half, after the ball hit the hand of Juventude defender Léo Índio inside the area, Calleri took the penalty and goalkeeper Pedro Rocha made a great save.
At the end of the game, the São Paulo fans booed the team and the coach a lot.
The return match, in Caxias do Sul, will be on May 13th.
The fifth phase of the Copa do Brasil includes the 20 clubs that are competing in Series A of the Brazilian Championship.
Botafogo x Chapecoense
Three days after beating Chapecoense 4-1 in the Brazilian Championship, in Chapecó (SC), Botafogo hosted the team from Santa Catarina at the Nilton Santos stadium in the match that opened the fifth phase of the Copa do Brasil. And he won again.
Putting a lot of pressure on the opponent, especially in the second half, the black and white team achieved victory with a goal from right-back Alex Telles, in the 45th minute of the second half.
The match in Chapecó will be on May 14th.
