Copinha analysis: Refereeing mistakes can't be ignored | OneFootball

It is impossible to analyze Palmeiras' qualification for the third round of the Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior without mentioning yet another huge refereeing error in this edition of the Copinha. Verdão advanced on Tuesday night (13th) after a 3-2 win on penalties against Vitória, following a 3-3 draw in regular time. The rivals complained about a penalty kick that was not validated as a goal, even though the ball appeared to have crossed the line, and about an offside goal in the first half.

The first controversy happened early in the match and indicated that the game would not be easy for the referees. Palmeiras opened the scoring at 7 minutes, with a perfect cross from André Lucas for Victor Gabriel to deflect – the striker was clearly offside, but with no VAR, the goal was allowed. See the play:

Victor Gabriel's goal for Palmeiras in the match against Vitória in the Copinha was irregular (Image: Reproduction/XSports)

In a game that seemed like it would be tense, but not so electrifying, Hiago equalized the match in Barueri in the second half. But the game saved the most exciting duel of the Copinha 2026 for the end. At 33 minutes, Gean shot from far out and put Vitória ahead, but Juan Gabriel leveled for Palmeiras again at 35. Soon after, at 39, Alejandro received the ball in the box and shot into the top corner, scoring the third goal for the Bahia side, but at 41, Victor Gabriel received a cross from Sorriso and equalized again, taking the match to penalties.

During the shootout, a controversy: Vitória complained that Gean’s penalty (the team's third) had crossed the line after Aranha saved it with his feet. The referee did not award the goal. See the image below:

Controversial moment in penalty saved by Aranha (Image: Reproduction/XSports)

In the end, Verdão won the penalty shootout 3-2 – Kauã Lira, Victor Gabriel, and Pimenta converted for Palmeiras. Juninho and Emerson scored for Vitória. Sorriso and Robson missed for the Alviverde, while in addition to Gean’s controversial penalty saved by Aranha, Ruan Gabriel and Kauan Victor (a former Palmeiras player) hit the post. Alviverde qualification, with controversies.

Controversy is not the first in the Copinha

The error is far from being the first controversy involving refereeing in this edition of the Copinha. Palmeiras’ first match was also marked by a bizarre refereeing mistake, when Arthur, the Alviverde left-back, shot from distance, the ball hit the crossbar and was nowhere near crossing the line on the rebound, but the assistant and referee awarded the goal. It was the fourth goal in the 4-2 win over Monte Roraima.

Goal awarded by the referee in the match between Palmeiras and Monte Rorraima-RR (Photo: Reproduction / Cazé TV)

It's not only in Palmeiras matches that mistakes happen. In the 1-1 draw between Santa Cruz and Tuna Luso-PA, the Santa Cruz striker broke away in attack, but pushed the ball too far ahead and saw a defender from the Pará team run towards it. However, the Tuna player tripped before touching the ball and fell to the ground by himself, leaving the striker in a comfortable position to score. It would have been the winning goal, but the referee called a foul, even though there was no contact between the players.

Santa Cruz’s disallowed goal against Tuna Luso-PA after the defender slipped (Photo: Reproduction / FPF)

In Group 6, in Presidente Prudente, the match between Grêmio Prudente and Carajás, from Pará, was also marked by controversy. At 35 minutes of the second half, with the score at 1-1, the Prudente team made three substitutions, including the departure of right-back Kayke, number 2, for Raul, number 20. However, after leaving the pitch, Kayke returned to the field, led by the coaching staff, after another player was taken off, preventing the team from having 12 players on the field.

Kayke was directly involved in the play that resulted in the winning goal at 50 minutes. This action prompted Carajás to request the annulment of the match at the São Paulo Sports Court (TJD-SP), alleging a violation of Law 3 of football, which prohibits a substituted player from returning to the field without the referee’s authorization.

Moment of the supposed substitution of Kayke, number 2 of Grêmio Prudente (Photo: Reproduction / FPF)

Referee training

The mistakes in the youth categories mirror what already happens in professional football. Mistakes for all teams.

If the Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior is meant to develop players, it also develops referees – and shows that the future of refereeing is likely to continue the same way 2025 ended: on a low note.

Palmeiras after qualification

Now, Palmeiras’ next opponent will be Flamengo-SP, who eliminated Monte Roraima-RR on Tuesday afternoon in Guarulhos. The third-round match will be on Thursday (15th), at Arena Barueri, at 3pm (Brasília time).

The Crias da Academia are seeking their third Copinha title. In 2022, Verdão won the tournament for the first time by thrashing Santos 4-0 in the final at Allianz Parque, with goals from Endrick, Giovani, and Gabriel Silva (twice). The following year, they claimed their second title with a 2-1 victory over América-MG in the final at Canindé, with goals from Ruan Ribeiro and Patrick.

See Palmeiras’ upcoming matches in the Copinha:

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