What Happened in Brazilian Soccer Yesterday (Thursday, August 14th, 2025)

Atlético-MG

• Atlético-MG came from behind to beat Godoy Cruz 2-1 in the Copa Sudamericana, with a decisive goal by Hulk after an assist from Reinier in his debut, securing an advantage for the second leg in Argentina.

• Hulk, with his goal against Godoy Cruz, reached 18 goals and became the top scorer at Arena MRV, as well as achieving 130 goals for Atlético-MG and leading the club’s scoring charts in the Copa Sudamericana.

• Coach Cuca highlighted Atlético-MG’s comeback spirit against Godoy Cruz but warned about physical wear and minor injuries, defending squad rotation due to the busy schedule of matches.

Bahia

• João Paulo’s loan to Bahia runs until June 2026, with purchase triggers around €1.9 million (about R$ 11 million).

• Bahia paid R$ 14 million for the release clause and signed 16-year-old forward Kauê Furquim from Corinthians, who had already been training with the first team and was listed for Brasileirão matches.

• Bahia held its penultimate training session before facing Corinthians, focusing on ball possession, offensive build-up, aerial play, and tactical drills, still without Erick, Kanu, Fredi, and Erick Pulga, who remain in the medical department.

Botafogo

• Botafogo informed the court it had received interest from “robust investors” wanting to buy the SAF and requested its rights be preserved if the current controllers fail to meet obligations. The legal dispute continues between Eagle and John Textor, who currently runs the football operations.

• Botafogo is negotiating the signing of defender Alix Vinícius from Atlético-GO and has even offered to help the club find a replacement. With the player and his agent already in agreement, the deal should move forward for about R$ 10 million.

• Coach Davide Ancelotti noted his surprise at LDU’s pressure and organization but praised the 1-0 win in the first leg of the Libertadores round of 16. He plans to rest players against Palmeiras to prepare for the decisive match in Quito’s altitude.

Ceará

• Ceará faces Bragantino this Saturday (16th) at 4 p.m. at Arena Castelão for the 20th round of Série A, defending a record of seven wins in 10 home games against the rival and riding a good phase, while Bragantino is winless in eight matches.

• Ceará presented forward Rodriguinho, on loan from Cruzeiro until the end of the year, who praised the fans’ support and highlighted his versatility to play as a winger. Registered in the BID, he may debut this Saturday against Bragantino.

Corinthians

• Corinthians aimed to sign forward Kaio César from Al Hilal but, unable to register players due to FIFA’s transfer ban, saw Cruzeiro advance in negotiations.

• Corinthians lost academy prospect Kauê Furquim, 16, after Bahia paid his R$ 14 million release clause, in a deal tied to the City Group with an eye on a future move to Manchester City.

• Right-back Léo Mana left Corinthians for Criciúma in search of more game time and new challenges outside his comfort zone.

Cruzeiro

• Cruzeiro has won 27 of its 37 Brasileirão points when leading at halftime but rarely secures three points when not ahead before the break.

• Defender João Marcelo was cleared for physical preparation after a serious injury, while full-back William will follow a special program to avoid aggravating his condition and remains the only option in his position.

• Forward Luis Sinisterra, with a loan deal agreed with Cruzeiro, is still training with Bournemouth but hasn’t played since March. He should travel to Brazil in the coming days to finalize the move.

Flamengo

• Goalkeeper Gabriel Werneck, 16, signed with Flamengo until 2028 with a €30 million (about R$ 190 million) release clause.

• Filipe Luís holds the best defensive average for Flamengo in the last 10 years (0.57 goals conceded per game) and the second-best winning percentage since 2016, behind only Jorge Jesus.

• Flamengo will stay in Porto Alegre to face Internacional three times in a row and expects the return of Arrascaeta, Danilo, and De la Cruz, while assessing Emerson Royal’s injury.

Fluminense

• Real Betis approached Fluminense for midfielder Facundo Bernal, but the club refused and stated it counts on the player for the rest of the season. The 21-year-old Uruguayan has also received interest from Italian clubs but no official offers.

• Isaque and Riquelme Felipe returned to Fluminense training after representing Brazil’s U-20 team in two friendlies against Paraguay, with Isaque scoring a goal. Both are fit and available for coach Renato Gaúcho against Fortaleza.

• Fluminense is racing to register Santiago Moreno in the BID by Friday to secure his debut against Fortaleza in the Brasileirão. The Colombian, formerly with Portland Timbers, cannot play in the Sudamericana round of 16 but can be added from the quarterfinals.

Fortaleza

• Fortaleza reached an agreement to sign midfielder Pierre (23), a standout for Volta Redonda in Série B.

• Fortaleza is interested in signing midfielder Vicente Pizarro from Colo-Colo.

• The club is still looking for a centre-back but has ruled out Igor Rabello, who received a R$ 600,000 offer from Fluminense.

Grêmio

• Grêmio will partner with New Balance starting in 2026, replacing Umbro as kit supplier.

• Coach Mano Menezes met with players to make adjustments and seek recovery after a string of poor results.

• Grêmio is interested in right-back Maílton, a standout for Chapecoense in Série B 2025.

Internacional

• Roger Machado admitted difficulty in planning Internacional’s matches against Flamengo, prioritizing the Brasileirão fixture while also eyeing the Libertadores decider on Wednesday.

• To advance in the Libertadores, Internacional must beat Flamengo by two goals, fix defensive errors, improve aerial play, and neutralize Arrascaeta in the second leg.

• Internacional fans criticized Wesley and questioned his starting role after a 1-0 Libertadores loss to Flamengo.

Juventude

• Gilberto underwent medical exams and may miss Juventude’s match against Vitória; Matheus Babi is suspended. Jandrei and Igor Formiga are expected to return, while Caíque is training normally.

Mirassol

• Lucas Ramon of Mirassol highlighted the unpredictability of the Brasileirão and said the loss to Flamengo did not shake the team, which learned from the match. He stressed the importance of humility, focus, and constant improvement, treating each game as a final.

Palmeiras

• Forward Kevin, from Shakhtar, may be sold to Fulham for €37 million, which would earn Palmeiras about R$ 28 million in retained rights.

• Monterrey offered €12 million (R$ 64.7 million) for Flaco López, but Palmeiras rejected the proposal and decided to keep him.

• Palmeiras beat Universitario-PER 4-0, extending their unbeaten Libertadores run to 11 matches and achieving a clean sheet after four games conceding.

Santos

• Centre-forward Victor Michell, from Santos, began physical transition after an ACL injury suffered while on loan at Betim-MG.

• Goalkeeper João Paulo waived his 30% economic rights and debts owed by Santos to finalize a loan with an obligation to buy to Bahia, ending his spell at the club.

• Defender Luan Peres is set to return against Vasco, while João Basso and Willian Arão remain doubtful due to injury.

São Paulo

• São Paulo is negotiating the loan of right-back Maílton (27), currently with Chapecoense/Metalist, with a purchase option, while the Ukrainian club demanded €1 million.

• São Paulo rejected PSV’s first offer for forward Henrique Carmo (18), considering the amount insufficient and awaiting a new proposal.

• Rafael Tolói (34) returns to São Paulo with a contract until the end of 2026, potentially extending to 2027, despite a higher offer from a Spanish club.

Sport Recife

• In the Copa do Nordeste U-20, Sport’s U-20 team lost to Vitória 3-2 in Salvador.

• Riding a four-game unbeaten streak and coming off their first Série A win in 19 matches, Sport is set to repeat the same starting lineup for the first time in 2025, facing São Paulo on Saturday (16th).

• Vice-president Raphael Campos said Sport is advancing in its transformation into a SAF, with companies already working on valuation and defining the economic and financial model. He stressed that the final decision will be up to members after the judicial recovery is ratified, aiming to attract an investor aligned with the club’s “DNA.”

Vasco

• After signing Andrés Gómez and advancing in talks for Carlos Cuesta, Vasco is looking for another striker to boost Fernando Diniz’s attacking options. The board sees a drop in second-half performance due to a lack of bench options and will have to act with a limited budget.

• Vasco president Pedrinho gave a statement to the Anti-Kidnapping Police after reports of a plan to abduct him, allegedly involving militia members from Bangu. He increased security, expressed concern for his family, and awaits progress in the investigation.

• Vasco’s football director Admar Lopes traveled to Turkey to try to finalize the signing of Colombian defender Carlos Cuesta for about €5 million for 60% of his rights. Approved by coach Fernando Diniz, he is seen as the ideal replacement for João Victor to strengthen the defense.

Vitória

• Goalkeeper Lucas Arcanjo said he feels at home at Vitória and does not rule out ending his career at the club, although he will decide his future at the end of the year. President Fábio Mota has admitted that selling the player is planned for season’s end due to interest from Brazilian and foreign clubs. In January, Fluminense offered R$ 6 million, but talks did not progress.

• President Fábio Mota stated he envisions Vitória among Brazil’s top 10 clubs within four years, noting the current work is one of rebuilding and results will come in that period. He compared his management to Bandeira de Mello’s at Flamengo and acknowledged that challenges, such as possible relegation, would be part of the process.

• Vitória beat Sport 3-2 at Barradão in the Copa do Nordeste U-20, with Alexsandro Faísca scoring in stoppage time to take the lead in Group D.