What Happened in Brazilian Soccer Yesterday (Sunday, October 02nd, 2025)

Atlético-MG

• Internacional 0 x 0 Atlético-MG – Internacional’s Home – Brasileirão.

• With one player down and controversial refereeing, Atlético-MG showed tactical discipline, relied on Everson, and earned a valuable draw against Inter.

• After VAR controversies in the draw with Inter, Atlético-MG strongly criticized the refereeing and demanded drastic changes from the CBF.

• Sampaoli was sent off after protesting VAR decisions during Inter vs. Atlético-MG, while Hulk criticized the lack of consistency from the referees.

Bahia

• Bahia 2 x 1 RB Bragantino – Bahia’s Home – Brasileirão.

• Bahia came from behind to beat RB Bragantino 2–1 at Fonte Nova, with two goals from Willian José in the second half. The result keeps the Tricolor in the Brasileirão’s top 5 with 52 points.

• Everton Ribeiro celebrated his return after surgery, taking part in Bahia’s 2–1 comeback win over RB Bragantino. Cheered by fans, he praised faith, unity, and aims to keep momentum away from home to secure a Libertadores spot.

Botafogo

• Mirassol 0 x 0 Botafogo – Mirassol’s Home – Brasileirão.

• Botafogo used the “long throw-in” tactic — popular in the Premier League — to create aerial chances, but failed to convert. The strategy, trained by Davide Ancelotti, aims to exploit second balls and rebounds.

• Botafogo began scouting reinforcements for 2026, including defender Riquelme (Sport), in a deal that could offset debts. The club seeks more affordable players after John Textor imposed a 30% payroll cut.

• Botafogo’s poor performance in the draw with Mirassol, marked by passivity and lack of creativity, puts their Libertadores hopes at risk.

Bragantino

• Bahia 2 x 1 Bragantino – Arena Fonte Nova – Brasileirão.

• Vagner Mancini, 57, was appointed Red Bull Bragantino coach until the end of 2025, replacing Fernando Seabra. With the team sitting 12th (36 pts), Mancini’s main challenge is to restore confidence and emotional balance.

• Sporting director Diego Cerri explained that Fernando Seabra was dismissed due to emotional burnout and loss of dressing room trust. Mancini was hired for his experience and defensive intensity, targeting a continental tournament spot.

• Red Bull Bragantino defeated Grêmio Prudente 2–0 in the U-17 Paulista Cup quarterfinals, with goals from Davi Lucas and Luis Gustavo (penalty), advancing to face Sfera in the semifinals.

Ceará

• Ceará 2 x 0 Fluminense – Ceará’s Home – Brasileirão.

• Ceará defeated Fluminense 2–0 at Arena Castelão, with goals from Galeano and Pedro Raul, ending a four-game winless streak and opening a seven-point gap from the relegation zone.

• Coach Léo Condé praised Ceará’s dominance and work rate, saying the team responded well after recent setbacks and remains consistent in its fight to stay in Série A.

Corinthians

• Corinthians 2 x 0 Grêmio – Neo Química Arena – Brasileirão.

• With goals from Gustavo Henrique and Memphis Depay (20-year-old striker), Corinthians beat Grêmio 2–0, reaching 42 points and climbing to 9th place.

• Gustavo Henrique (defender, rating 8.7) was the man of the match, followed by Garro (8.2) and Hugo Souza (7.5). Depay ended a nine-match scoring drought.

• Midfielder André Luiz (19) is in the final stage of recovery from an ankle injury and is expected to rejoin the squad soon, leaving only Vitinho in the medical department.

Cruzeiro

• Cruzeiro 3 x 1 Vitória – Cruzeiro’s Home.

• Highlights.Cruzeiro beat Vitória 3–1 with standout performances from Cássio and Kaio Jorge, regaining confidence and consistency.

• Millonarios are considering legal measures against Néiser Villarreal, absent for over ten days, while Cruzeiro awaits his contract to begin in December.

• Coach Leonardo Jardim addressed referee criticism, praised Brazilian football, and reaffirmed his focus on Cruzeiro’s objectives without commenting on his future.

Flamengo

• Flamengo 3 x 0 Sport – Maracanã – Brasileirão.

• Flamengo dominated Sport 3–0, regaining confidence and staying in the title race.

• Jorginho is set to return to training in mid-November, while Carrascal may play against Sport on the 15th.

• Filipe Luís praised Bruno Henrique, declined to confirm Pedro for the Libertadores final, and highlighted the team’s mental recovery in the win over Sport.

Fluminense

• Ceará 2 x 0 Fluminense – Ceará’s Home – Brasileirão.

• Zubeldía admitted Fluminense performed poorly, citing collective mistakes and poor attitude away from home. The coach urged a quick reaction to keep Libertadores hopes alive.

• The team has struggled offensively, relying too much on Lucho Acosta and going a month without a goal from strikers.

• Fluminense officially opened the registration period for presidential election slates (2026–2028), with four pre-candidates confirmed. The election will be held between November 22 and 29.

Fortaleza

• Santos 1 x 1 Fortaleza – Santos’ Home – Brasileirão.

• Fortaleza drew 1–1 with Santos at Vila Belmiro (goals: Adam Bareiro and Bruno Pacheco own goal). The team remains 18th with 28 points, fighting relegation.

• Martín Palermo praised the team’s performance but lamented missed chances, saying the result will only matter if Fortaleza wins the Clássico-Rei against Ceará.

Grêmio

• Corinthians 2 x 0 Grêmio – Corinthians’ Home – Brasileirão.

• Grêmio’s 2–0 loss to Corinthians leaves its Libertadores chances fading.

• Coach Mano Menezes downplayed Cristian Olivera’s comments about playing for Nacional, reaffirming focus on Grêmio.

• Menezes described the loss as decided by fine margins, despite an overall balanced performance.

Internacional

• Internacional 0 x 0 Atlético-MG – Internacional’s Home – Brasileirão.

• Despite having a man advantage, Inter’s home draw exposed offensive inefficiency and a frustrating season.

• Coach Emiliano Díaz said Inter “should have won easily,” defended keeping Carbonero on the bench, and praised the team’s display.

• Inter acknowledged a US$350k debt to Racing for Carbonero and is working to settle it with FIFA.

Juventude

• Juventude 0 x 2 Palmeiras – Juventude’s Home – Brasileirão.

• Despite the 2–0 loss to Palmeiras, coach Thiago Carpini praised Juventude’s organization and effort, expressing optimism about staying in Série A. The team sits second-to-last but took positives from the performance against the league leader.

Mirassol

• Mirassol 0 x 0 Botafogo – Mirassol’s Home – Brasileirão.

• Coach Rafael Guanaes highlighted Mirassol’s superiority over Botafogo despite the goalless draw, praising execution and teamwork. He valued the club’s historic moment and commitment to innovation.

Palmeiras

• Juventude 0 x 2 Palmeiras – Alfredo Jaconi – Brasileirão.

• With a rotated squad, Palmeiras maintained the top spot by beating Juventude 2–0 away. Goals from Bruno Rodrigues and Felipe Anderson extended an 18-year unbeaten run at Alfredo Jaconi, reaching 65 points, one above Flamengo.

• At 20, striker Vitor Roque (13 league goals) may move to Manchester United for €50 million, with Barcelona retaining 20% of his rights.

• Palmeiras and Flamengo will face off in the 2025 Libertadores final, chasing a fourth title and up to US$24 million in prize money.

Santos

• Santos 1 x 1 Fortaleza – Vila Belmiro – Brasileirão.

• Defender Luan Peres (30) will miss the derby against Palmeiras due to suspension, while Souza returns. Vojvoda must choose between Alexis Duarte and Zé Ivaldo in defense.

• Santos U-15 was eliminated by Corinthians on penalties (3–2) after a 1–1 draw, ending the Paulista campaign with 15 wins, 4 draws, 6 losses, and 79 goals scored.

São Paulo

• Vasco 0 x 2 São Paulo – São Januário – Brasileirão.

• Alan Franco and Enzo Díaz are suspended for the match against Flamengo. Rafael Tolói and Sabino should form the defense, while Patrick Lanza will start at left-back.

• Midfielder Marcos Antônio (40 matches, 5 assists) made Brazil’s preliminary squad for November friendlies vs. Senegal and Tunisia.

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• Youth midfielder Gustavo Zabarelli (16) has attracted Barcelona, Ajax, and Benfica after 25 U-17 games and one goal; his contract runs until May 2028.

Sport Recife

• Flamengo 3 x 0 Sport – Maracanã – Brasileirão.

• Sport is finalizing a deal to sell 70% of defender Riquelme’s rights (18) to Botafogo for around US$1.6 million, retaining 30% to offset debts.

• Sport lost 3–0 to Flamengo, extending their winless run to eight matches and remaining bottom of Série A with 17 points. Despite a goalless first half, they conceded twice to Bruno Henrique and once to Arrascaeta.

• Sport paid September wages but still owes image rights, working to stabilize finances during the final stretch of the season.

Vasco

• Vasco 0 x 2 São Paulo – Vasco’s Home – Brasileirão.

• Vasco controlled much of the match but lost organization after Diniz’s offensive substitutions, allowing São Paulo to win 2–0. The loss hurts Vasco’s G-7 ambitions.

• Coach Fernando Diniz said Vasco “dominated despite the loss,” but lacked creativity and finishing. He defended his attacking changes as an attempt to score and praised the fans’ continued support.

• Paulo Henrique and Nuno Moreira received their third yellow cards and will miss the derby against Botafogo. Diniz is expected to use Puma Rodríguez at right-back, with options like Vegetti, Andrés Gómez, or David in attack.

Vitória

• Cruzeiro 3 x 1 Vitória – Mineirão – Brasileirão – Highlights.Vitória’s 3–1 loss keeps them in the relegation zone with 31 points, four behind safety. Kaio Jorge (2) and Arroyo scored for Cruzeiro; Willian Oliveira netted for Vitória.

• Vitória will be without full-back Ramon against Internacional due to a contractual clause requiring a R$1 million fee. Coach Jair Ventura is expected to start Maykon Jesus.