Série D: Keeper saves 3️⃣ penalties to clinch last quarter-final spot | OneFootball

Now only eight teams remain in the fight for the four spots in the 2026 Série C.

After the qualifications of ASA, Goiatuba, Inter de Limeira, Cianorte, and Barra, América de Natal, Maranhão, and Santa Cruz were the teams that advanced this Sunday (24th).

Santinha qualified with a win on penalties after a tense match in Piauí.

There were THREE saves by the hero Rokenedy, who had already made a difference in the first knockout stage—against Sergipe.

Check out the decisive quarterfinal matchups below.

Was 0 x 0 all that mattered?

After winning in Maranhão by 1 x 0, América de Natal drew 0 x 0 with Imperatriz at Arena das Dunas. They are now chasing promotion—having last played in the Third Division in 2023.

At the same time, Maranhão eliminated Central playing in Caruaru. They had won at home by 2 x 1 and held the score at zero.

The “Poster Destroyer” only secured their qualification in the last round of the group stage and then went on to eliminate two rivals considered favorites: Tuna Luso and now the Alvinegro do Agreste.

Their last Série C appearance was in 2006.

The last match of the decision Sunday was Altos vs. Santa Cruz, who faced off at Lindolfo Monteiro after a 1 x 1 draw at Arena Pernambuco.

The big moment of regular time—which also ended scoreless—came at the 34th minute of the second half.

Albert made a mistake, Renato found himself in a great position, but dived for a penalty when he would have been one-on-one with goalkeeper Careca.

He was shown a yellow card for simulation after wasting a great chance for Santa Cruz, who no longer had the substituted Thiago Galhardo on the field.

Rokenedy the hero ONCE AGAIN

Renato “redeemed” himself by efficiently taking Santa’s first penalty (0x1).

Altos’ number 10, Esquerdinha, was stopped by Rokenedy (0x1).

Geovany took a quality shot to score the second for Tricolor (0x2).

Rokenedy shone again by saving Jonathan’s penalty (0x2).

Next, João Pedro hit the crossbar (0x2).

Digão scored the first for Altos (1x2).

Balotelli extended the lead for Santinha (1x3).

Diving to the same left corner, Rokenedy saved Leandro Amorim’s shot (1x3) and secured Santa Cruz’s qualification.

The Cobra Coral hasn’t played in Série C since 2021.

Nordestino dominance 📊

There are four teams from the Northeast, two from the South, one from the Southeast, and one from the Center-West still in the running.

The quarterfinal matchups were determined based on the total points accumulated since the group stage.

ASA - 41 points

Inter de Limeira - 36

Barra - 36 points

América de Natal - 35

Santa Cruz - 32

Cianorte - 30

Goiatuba - 29

Maranhão - 26

Quarterfinal matchups 👇🏽

ASA 🆚 Maranhão

Inter de Limeira 🆚 Goiatuba

Barra 🆚 Cianorte

América de Natal 🆚 Santa Cruz

*Teams on the left play the second leg at home

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