Paulinho shines as São Paulo reach Sub-20 Paulistão last 16 | OneFootball

Number 9 found the net when Tricolor was struggling to score (Photo: Instagram/Reproduction)

MARCIO MONTEIRO

@avantmtricolor

São Paulo relied on five players who train with the professionals in Barra Funda for the knockout match this Friday afternoon (12) against Mauá, but won 2-0 thanks to the brilliance of their number 9, the top scorer Paulinho, who scored the goal that opened the scoring and paved the way for the team's qualification to the round of 16 of the São Paulo U-20 Championship.

Playing at home, at CFA Laudo Natel in Cotia, Tricolor controlled the actions of the match from start to finish, but had many difficulties breaking through Mauá's defense. Goalkeeper João Pedro, full-backs Maik and Nicolas, defender Igão, and forward Lucca strengthened Allan Barcellos' team and contributed to the qualification.

The match featured stars Lucas Moura and Ferreirinha in the stands of Cotia, cheering for their younger teammates. On the field, Paulinho was involved in the main offensive plays and scored the first with a header, after a beautiful assist from Felisberto, and Nicolas sealed the 2-0 victory in the final moments of the game.

TRIED TO DECIDE EARLY

Tricolor started with heavy pressure in attack and almost opened the scoring with a dangerous header in the early minutes in Cotia. Maik was the main offensive outlet on the right, making many runs, but the team couldn't create significant scoring chances.

The Made in Cotia players gradually loosened up and finally created good goal opportunities, but most were off target. When they were on target, they were stopped by good saves from the opposing goalkeeper.

In the added time of the first half, an unbelievable moment occurred. First, after a corner kick, the São Paulo ball hit the post, and on the rebound, Mauá's defense cleared it off the line to keep it 0-0 at halftime.

FINALLY, THE GOALS

At 16 minutes into the second half, São Paulo created a great chance. The team executed a beautiful passing sequence on the right side of the attack, leaving Paulinho in front of the goal. The number 9 striker shot hard and low, but the ball went just wide of the post.

At 22’, the goal finally came. Igor Felisberto expertly delivered a free kick from the right to Paulinho's head, who this time made no mistake and found the net for Tricolor. Shortly after, Juan Potes almost extended the lead for the Cotia team, but the goalkeeper made a great save.

And in the final moments of the match, Tricolor proved that aerial play is one of their main strengths. From a corner kick, Nicolas rose above everyone and headed the ball into Mauá's net, securing São Paulo's spot in the next phase of the youth state championship.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.