Copinha: São Paulo cruise past Operário with hat-trick, reach last 16 | OneFootball

São Paulo faced a match full of provocations, confusion, and expulsions, but showed its strength in the Copinha by thrashing Operário-PR 5-1, coming from behind, on Thursday night (15th) in Sorocaba.

With this result, the Tricolor secured its spot in the round of 16 of the country’s main under-20 competition. Renan, Gustavo Santana, with an incredible hat-trick of headers, and Matheus Menezes scored the goals that clinched qualification for Allan Barcellos’ team.

The coach even lost three of his main stars in the competition, right-back Igor Felisberto, midfielder Pedro Ferreira, and top scorer Paulinho, all called up by Hernán Crespo to join the professional team in the Paulistão, also on Thursday. However, Barcellos showed he has the squad under control with yet another rout in the tournament.

In the next round, São Paulo’s under-20 team will face Bragantino in search of a place in the quarterfinals. The date and time will still be announced by the Paulista Football Federation.

WORRYING START

Better at the start of the match, Operário scored in the 22nd minute after a great team play, finished with a beautiful cross shot by Kayo that found the back of the net.

However, at 37’, Djhordney shot from distance, the goalkeeper poorly deflected the ball back into the box, and Renan took advantage to equalize for Tricolor. A minute later, the comeback. Tetê made a good move down the left and crossed to Gustavo Santana’s head, who nodded firmly to make it 2-1 before halftime.

Soon after, Operário’s players tried to start a scuffle, and Lohan was sent off after taking down Matheus Ferreira in midfield. Even before the break, assistant coach Rafael Bomfim was also shown a red card for the rivals, for protesting.

SECURING THE SPOT

Right at the start of the second half, São Paulo made good use of an aerial play and Matheus Menezes showed his striker’s instinct by scoring the Tricolor’s third goal.

The São Paulo team controlled the match well, created more chances to extend the lead, and eventually turned the win into a rout. At 30’, Gustavo Santana once again headed the ball into the net to make it 4-1.

And it really was Santana’s night. Already at the 37th minute of the final period, number 11 received a good cross from Guilherme Reis and, guess what, with another header, scored his third of the match, the fifth for Tricolor to seal the deal and secure the spot.

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