São Paulo showed its first sign of reaction of the season when it debuted in the Brazilian Championship this Wednesday (28) with a 2-1 comeback victory over current champion Flamengo, at Morumbis.
All goals were scored in the second half. Gonzalo Plata opened the scoring for the visiting team in the 9th minute, but Luciano equalized in the 16th and Danielzinho turned the score around in the 26th.
It was only the second triumph for the team led by Hernán Crespo in 2026. In the Campeonato Paulista, São Paulo has three defeats, a draw and a victory — over São Bernardo, still in the second round.
Starting the Brazilian Championship well relieves the pressure from the fans, worried about the team’s situation in the State Championship. With four points, São Paulo occupies 14th place, the first outside the relegation zone, but is tied with Noroeste, which opens the Z-4 alongside Ponte Preta, which has one point.
The tricolor triumph was an exception among the big São Paulo clubs at the opening of the Brazilian Championship. Palmeiras debuted with a draw against Atlético-MG, while Corinthians and Santos were defeated by Bahia and Chapecoense, respectively.
Runner-up in 2025, Palmeiras was the first from São Paulo to enter the field. Away from home, the team led by Abel Ferreira opened the scoring with Flaco López. Atlético-MG came back with Victor Hugo and Khellven (against), but Vitor Roque scored again and declared a 2-2 draw.
Following the first round, Corinthians and Santos suffered their first defeats. The black and white team from the capital played exceptionally well in Vila Belmiro and ended up defeated by Bahia. All the goals came in the first half: Breno Bidon opened the scoring, but Jean Oliveira and Willian José guaranteed the Bahian team’s victory 2-1.
At Arena Condá, in Chapecó, Chapecoense marked their return to the elite of Brazilian football with a 4-2 victory over Santos, in a game marked by comebacks. The home team opened the scoring with Walter Clar, but the São Paulo team turned it around with Gabriel Menino and Barreal. The Santa Catarina reaction began with Higor Meritão and was consolidated by Jean Carlos and Rafael Carvalheira.
State with the most representatives in the competition, São Paulo still has Red Bull Bragantino and Mirassol in the tournament. The team from Bragança Paulista also debuted this Wednesday and beat Coritiba, away from home, 1-0. Mirassol, in turn, debuts this Thursday (29), against Vasco, at 8 pm, at the Campos Maia stadium.
