Palmeiras aim to break away-day hoodoo in Paulistão decider | OneFootball

Palmeiras tries to break a taboo this Sunday (8), when they face Grêmio Novorizontino in the second leg of the 2026 Campeonato Paulista final, in Novo Horizonte.

Verdão won the first leg 1-0 at Arena Barueri, taking the lead in a state championship final for the first time in the seven consecutive finals they have played in the tournament.

Now, in addition to the title, the team led by Abel Ferreira is looking to overcome another obstacle: winning a knockout final away from home, something that hasn't happened in over a decade.

Last away title in 2012

The last time Palmeiras won a knockout final as the away team was in the 2012 Copa do Brasil.

On that occasion, the club beat Coritiba 2-0 in the first leg at Arena Barueri, and secured the title with a 1-1 draw at Couto Pereira stadium in Curitiba, with a goal by striker Betinho.

Since then, the team has had three opportunities to win titles away from home – all in the Campeonato Paulista – but was unable to lift the trophy.

Remember the opportunities

In 2015, Palmeiras won the first match against Santos 1-0 at Allianz Parque, but lost 2-1 at Vila Belmiro. In the penalty shootout, the team from Baixada Santista took the trophy.

With Abel Ferreira, there were two more chances. In 2021, Palmeiras drew the first match with São Paulo Futebol Clube and ended up losing 2-0 in the return leg, played at Morumbis, in the state final.

Four years later, in 2025, the final was against Sport Club Corinthians Paulista. After losing 1-0 at Allianz Parque, Verdão had the chance to take the match to penalties at Neo Química Arena, but a penalty taken by Raphael Veiga was saved by Hugo Souza, and the game ended in a draw.

Decision in Novo Horizonte

The decisive match of the Campeonato Paulista will be played at 8:30 p.m. this Sunday (8), at Jorge Ismael de Biasi stadium, in Novo Horizonte.

With the advantage gained in the first leg, Palmeiras only needs a draw to win another state title. Novorizontino, on the other hand, needs to win by one goal to take the decision to penalties.

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