📹 São Paulo ruthless, see off RB Bragantino to reach Paulistão semis | OneFootball

Hernán Crespo's São Paulo is the first semifinalist of the 2026 Paulistão.

Playing away from home at Cícero de Souza Marques, Tricolor defeated the until-then undefeated Red Bull Bragantino 2-1 on Saturday night (21).

Bobadilla and Lucas Moura scored for Tricolor. And Rafael was also a protagonist with two great saves. 

SPFC now waits to find out its opponent in the next round. 

Great chance and SPFC takes the lead

Red Bull Bragantino started off well, managing to move the ball better.

And they had a great chance in the 33rd minute. Gustavinho received the ball from Pitta, but saw Rafael and then the post save the day.

SPFC, on the other hand, was betting on attacks down the flanks, trying to surprise a well-organized opponent without the ball.

Then Lucas Ramon reinforced his great start at the club by making the difference for Bobadilla's goal (39'). 

Set play pays off

It took just seven minutes into the second half for São Paulo to really complicate things for the home team.

An excellent set play resulted in Lucas Moura's third goal of the season after Danielzinho took a free kick and Luciano set it up.

Massa Bruta on the attack

With no other option, Massa Bruta began to press forward, already with Sasha on the field. 

They started to control the action, but still had to get past Rafael.

That finally happened after Nacho Sosa took a corner and Gustavo Marques headed it in (27'). 

The final stretch had the same scenario: Red Bull Bragantino pressing against a São Paulo side unable to "kill" the game. 

The Tricolor's drama increased after Alan Franco was sent off in the 47th minute.

The tension rose after a collision between Bobadilla and Juninho Capixaba, with Massa Bruta demanding a penalty in the tenth minute of added time.

The home team's complaints were loud.

But nothing was given.

And São Paulo is in the semis. 

🤔 What now?

The semifinal matchups – also single-leg games – will only be decided after all qualifiers are determined.

The team with the best overall record will face the team with the fourth-best record.

And the team with the second-best record will challenge the team with the third-best record.

Both teams now turn their focus to the fourth round of the Brazilian Championship. 

Massa Bruta (7th) will host Athletico (6th).

Meanwhile, SPFC (2nd) will visit Coritiba (10th). 

Both matches will take place next Wednesday (25). 

Photo: Rubens Chiri / São Paulo FC

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