Copinha: São Paulo cruise past Operário, striker nets hat-trick | OneFootball

São Paulo had 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 the night of this Thursday (15) in Sorocaba.

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

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 this Thursday. However, Barcellos showed he has the team under control with another thrashing in the competition.

In the next phase, the São Paulo under-20 team faces Bragantino in pursuit of the quarter-finals. The date and time will still be informed by the Paulista Football Federation.

WORRYING START

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

However, at 37’, Djhordney shot from afar, the goalkeeper poorly deflected it into the area, and Renan took advantage to equalize for the Tricolor. A minute later, the turnaround. Tetê made a good move on the left and crossed to Gustava Santana's head, who headed firmly to make it 2-1 on the scoreboard still in the first half.

Shortly after, Operário's players tried to stir up trouble, and Lohan was sent off after bringing down Matheus Ferreira in the midfield. Even before the break, assistant coach Rafael Bomfim also received a red card for the rivals, due to complaints.

SECURING THE SPOT

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

The São Paulo team controlled the match well, created more chances to extend the lead until they managed to turn the victory into a thrashing. At 30’, Gustavo Santana once again headed into the net to make it 4-1.

And it truly was Santana's night. Already at 37 minutes of the second half, the number 11 received a good cross from Guilherme Reis and, guess what, headed again to score his third in the game, the fifth for the 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.