What Happened in Brazilian Soccer Yesterday (Thursday, October 03nd, 2025)

Atlético-MG

• Sampaoli and Zubeldía, Argentinians who ended their playing careers early due to injuries, face each other for the first time as coaches in the Atlético-MG vs Fluminense clash.

• Atlético-MG is considering keeping Vitor Hugo, but Bahia will only agree to a permanent sale, ruling out a new loan.

• Reinier admits he is still seeking improvement and readaptation at Atlético-MG after two months and 12 games, with only one assist since his debut.

Bahia

• Atlético-MG wants to keep defender Vitor Hugo, but Bahia only accepts a permanent deal — another loan is off the table. The player is under contract with Bahia until Dec/2026 and loaned to Atlético until Dec/2025.

Botafogo

• Jeffinho ended a 16-month goal drought by scoring the second goal in Botafogo’s 2-1 win over Bahia in the Brasileirão. Coach Davide Ancelotti praised the winger’s dribbling and movement from the left.

• Santi Rodríguez admitted he lacked confidence early in the season but highlighted his recent good form, with two goals and one assist in the last matches. With the win over Bahia, Botafogo entered the top 4 and aims to stay consistent.

• Despite an unstable season, Botafogo reached the top 4 after beating Bahia and taking advantage of rivals’ slip-ups. Defensive solidity, the rise of foreigners Santi Rodríguez and Montoro, and offensive contributions from the full-backs explain the good phase.

Ceará

• Vitória 1x0 Ceará, at Barradão, Brasileirão Série A – Highlights: Ceará lost 1–0 to Vitória due to early inattention and a set-piece goal by Zé Marcos. In the second half, Ceará pressed but lacked precision in finishing. Coach Léo Condé pointed out poor decision-making in the final pass. Next match: Santos, Sunday (05), Arena Castelão.

Corinthians

• Matheuzinho, 24, right-back, has 4 assists in 2024 (same as Talles Magno and Matheus Bidu), and stood out in the draw with Inter with a decisive cross, 4 tackles, and 7 duels won, becoming a key player for Dorival Júnior.

• Corinthians lost a case at FIFA to Midtjylland over the purchase of midfielder Charles and must pay €1M plus €200k fine, 12% annual interest, and €85k in fees, raising total debts in CAS to R$135.36 million.

• Corinthians announced Angel Rafael Santos Lopez as new Director of Heritage and Works under Osmar Stabile’s management, which still has three vacant directorates (Professional Football, Aquatics, and Marketing).

Cruzeiro

• Flamengo 0 x 0 Cruzeiro – Maracanã – Brasileirão – Highlights

• Cruzeiro showed maturity and kept Jardim’s DNA in the draw against Flamengo, creating chances, competing well, and reinforcing its collective strength in the title race.

• Goalkeeper Cássio valued the draw, praised Cruzeiro’s campaign, and demanded more respect for the team’s performance.

• Coach Leonardo Jardim highlighted that the point will only be valuable if Cruzeiro beats Sport in the next round.

Flamengo

• Flamengo 0 x 0 Cruzeiro – Maracanã – Brasileirão – Highlights

• Flamengo and Cruzeiro played a tactical, balanced match but lacked creativity and ended in a 0-0 draw.

• Filipe Luís celebrated one year as Flamengo’s coach, praised the “European intensity” of the match, and highlighted the team’s tactical balance despite frustration with the result.

• Despite his great work, Filipe Luís made a mistake by leaving out the top scorers, weakening the team’s offensive power.

Fluminense

• Signed for R$27 million after standing out in MLS, Santiago Moreno has yet to secure a starting spot and expects more chances under Luis Zubeldía.

• Fluminense is negotiating the signing of 17-year-old South African attacking midfielder Kgomotso Madiba and awaits FIFA approval for the deal upon his 18th birthday, part of the club’s African expansion project.

• Fluminense has conceded 10 goals after the 40th minute in 2025, the second-worst in Série A behind Vitória (12). Zubeldía plans to fix this issue.

Fortaleza

• Fortaleza 0x2 São Paulo – Arena Castelão – Highlights: Fortaleza lost 2-0 at home despite having a man advantage since the 21st minute (Rigoni’s red card). Goals by Tapia and Luciano in counter-attacks. The team remains second to last with 21 points and faces Juventude next.

• Midfielder Lucca Prior has pubic discomfort, is in the medical department, and may miss the decisive match against Juventude.

Grêmio

• With Marcelo Marques dropping out, Paulo Caleffi and Odorico Roman intensify the presidential race at Grêmio, while the current management remains undefined.

• Marlon Passos stepped away from the Arena’s management due to its early transfer to the club, staying only for the transition.

• The draw with Santos exposed Grêmio’s roster limitations, Mano’s choices, and the team’s inconsistency late in the season.

Internacional

• Coach Ramón Díaz tested a three-defender system against Corinthians to fix defensive issues and free wing-backs to attack.

• D’Alessandro became emotional and asked for fans’ support to overcome a difficult moment and beat Botafogo.

Juventude

• The CBF approved 2026 calendar changes, including an earlier Série A, an expanded Copa do Brasil, and a new Copa Sul-Sudeste. Juventude supports the changes for increased revenue.

• Coach Thiago Carpini will make lineup changes for Sunday’s match vs Fortaleza, with Caíque and Gabriel Taliari returning. The left-back position remains uncertain.

Mirassol

• Left-back Reinaldo scored his 10th goal of the season, his most prolific year, with 12 goal contributions in the last 20 matches. Mirassol is in the Libertadores zone, and Reinaldo nears 400 Série A appearances.

Palmeiras

• Larson, 20, midfielder on loan from Goiás, has 29 games, 3 goals, and a Brasileirão U-20 title; Abel Ferreira requested to buy 50% of his rights.

• Lucas Evangelista, 29, midfielder, suffered a hamstring tendon rupture, underwent surgery, and will be out for 3–6 months.

• Felipe Teresa, 19, former Flamengo forward and 2024 U-20 World Cup winner, signed with Palmeiras until 2027 (70% rights).

Santos

• Neymar, 33, attacking midfielder, treats a grade 2 thigh injury and should return only in November.

• Tomás Rincón, 36, midfielder, suspended 1 match after a violent play, already served.

• Zé Rafael, 31, midfielder, recovered from spinal surgery and has the most minutes under Vojvoda, showing consistent form.

São Paulo

• Fortaleza 0 x 2 São Paulo – Arena Castelão – Highlights

• Luiz Gustavo, 38, midfielder, returned after 6 months out due to pulmonary embolism and was key in the win over Fortaleza, earning praise from Crespo.

• Emiliano Rigoni, 31, started, assisted Tapia, but was sent off after VAR review.

• Isac Silva, 19, center-back, promoted from U-20 due to injuries, played 24 matches for the youth team and won the 2023 U-17 South American Championship.

Sport Recife

• Right-back Matheus Alexandre (3rd yellow) suspended for the match against Cruzeiro; Aderlan doubtful due to thigh discomfort. Coach Daniel Paulista may improvise Igor Cariús.

• The club terminated midfielder Pedro Vitor’s loan, who returns to Serra Branca/PB.

• Supporters oppose rumors of selling home advantage against Flamengo, demanding the match remain in Arena PE.

Vasco

• Defender Carlos Cuesta is still injured and won’t face Vitória; Matheus França may return. Hugo Moura could play improvised in defense.

• Vasco submitted details of an R$80 million DIP loan with Crefisa to court, guaranteed by 20% of SAF shares if unpaid, though the board deems default unlikely.

• The club negotiates Chilean forward Vicente Álvarez (Unión San Felipe/Sub-20 Chile) after an initial rejection, aiming to reinforce the youth team with resale potential.

Vitória

• Vitória 1x0 Ceará – Home – Brasileirão – Highlights: Vitória beat Ceará 1–0 with a Zé Marcos goal from a set piece, gaining momentum in the relegation fight.

• UFMG data points Vitória with 81.2% relegation risk, the second highest in Série A behind Sport (97.3%).