What Happened in Brazilian Soccer Yesterday (Thusday, August 19th, 2025)

Atlético-MG

• Atlético-MG faces Godoy Cruz in the Copa Sudamericana missing Lyanco, Saravia, Patrick, and Bernard, but holds the advantage of a draw after winning the first leg 2–1.

• Ruan Tressoldi has not yet been announced by Atlético-MG because he is recovering from a right knee injury and should take about a month to be available.

• Undefeated in Argentina for five years, Atlético-MG arrives confident to decide qualification against Godoy Cruz in the Copa Sudamericana, holding the advantage of a draw after winning the first leg 2–1.

Bahia

• Bahia is considering the signing of Colombian defender Alexis Pérez, 31, ex-Al-Wasl, who can also play as a left-back and is currently a free agent.

• Bahia announced Argentine forward Mateo Sanabria, 21, ex-Al-Ain, as its second signing in this transfer window.

• Jean Lucas, Bahia’s standout, appears on Ancelotti’s preliminary Brazil squad list and could become the club’s first player called up since 1991; the final list will be released on the 25th.

Botafogo

• Botafogo announced its squad for the Libertadores clash against LDU in Quito, with the returns of Arthur Cabral, David Ricardo, and Newton. Out of the list are Kauã Branco, Huguinho, and Jordan Barrera; the team plays for a draw after winning the first leg 1–0.

• Ares Management may appoint Fred Luz (ex-Flamengo and Corinthians) and Manoel Flores (ex-CBF) to manage Botafogo if it takes control of John Textor’s SAF. Scenarios include Textor raising €100 million to buy back the club, Ares assuming management, or the club’s members regaining control via the courts.

• Botafogo submitted a new proposal to Atlético-GO for defender Alix Vinicius, after an initial loan offer and another of R$10 million. The position became a priority due to injuries to Bastos, Kaio Pantaleão, and David Ricardo.

Bragantino

• Red Bull Bragantino is the worst team in the Brasileirão since the Club World Cup, with only 17% performance in eight matches, recording six losses, one draw, and just one win.

Ceará

• Bahia and Ceará meet again in the Copa do Nordeste semifinal after seven years; the record is balanced, but Vozão has a slight advantage in head-to-head clashes.

• Ceará will have two absences against Bahia in the semifinal: loanees Matheus Bahia and Marcos Victor cannot play due to contractual issues.

• Aylon previews the duel against Bahia in the Copa do Nordeste semifinal with confidence, viewing the tournament as a real chance for a title. The top scorer race remains open, with Galeano, Igor Bahia, Erick, and Neto Oliveira tied at four goals.

Corinthians

• At 23, goalkeeper Matheus Donelli remains sidelined at Corinthians and is looking for a new club after inconsistent performances.

• Corinthians sidelined Spanish forward Héctor Hernández, who lost space under Dorival Júnior and saw competition from academy players increase.

• The courts upheld the blocking of R$10.9 million from Corinthians’ Copa do Brasil prize money, in a lawsuit filed by agent André Cury over the club’s debts.

Cruzeiro

• Leonardo Jardim explained the few changes in Cruzeiro’s draw with Mirassol and ruled out prioritizing competitions, ensuring full strength in both the Brasileirão and Copa do Brasil against Atlético-MG.

• Gabigol has become a substitute at Cruzeiro, playing less than 30% of minutes in the Brasileirão, but remains the team’s second-top scorer this season with 11 goals and four assists.

• With the draw against Mirassol, Cruzeiro’s Brasileirão title chances dropped from 22.87% to 12.60%, but Libertadores qualification remains above 90%.

Flamengo

• Bruno Henrique reinforced his reputation as the “king of knockouts” at Flamengo, being decisive in the Libertadores with 20 goals (12 in knockout stages) and 16 assists, behind only Gabigol and Pedro.

• Napoli will send representatives to Brazil to scout Léo Ortiz from Flamengo, but his departure is seen as unlikely after the club rejected a nearly R$100 million offer from RB Leipzig.

• Juninho has lost space at Flamengo, could go four matches without being included in the squad, and is considering leaving after a R$37.2 million investment and failed foreign interest.

Fluminense

• Fluminense 2 x 0 América de Cali, Fluminense Stadium, Copa Sudamericana.

• Defender Luan Freitas returned to Fluminense after a loan at Paysandu, where he played 48 matches and won four titles. According to Marcello Neves, the 24-year-old should be loaned to Juventude.

• Fluminense is close to announcing Igor Rabello but is still looking for another defender to reinforce the backline, urgently needed due to injuries to Ignácio and Thiago Silva.

• After the win over América de Cali, Renato Gaúcho explained that Lucho Acosta and Santi Moreno have not debuted yet because they still need physical, technical, and tactical adaptation. The coach stressed he will only use them once he is confident in their conditions.

Fortaleza

• Vélez Sarsfield 2 x 0 Fortaleza, Vélez Stadium, Copa Libertadores.

• Fortaleza was eliminated in the Libertadores round of 16 by Vélez, ending the participation of northeastern clubs in 2025. In the international ranking, Bahia leads with 91 points, followed by Fortaleza (74), and Ceará/Sport (41).

• Fortaleza has opened talks for Luizão, ex-West Ham. The defender terminated his contract with the English club and is now a free agent.

• Fortaleza is finalizing the sale of defender Gustavo Mancha, 21, to Olympiacos for more than €3.5 million (R$22 million).

Grêmio

• Grêmio signed right-back Marcos Rocha, who joins to compete with João Pedro and João Lucas until 2026.

• Goalkeeper Gabriel Grando may leave Grêmio in search of more opportunities after losing space to Tiago Volpi and refusing to renew his contract.

• Grêmio has 12 foreign players, responsible for 54% of its goals in 2025, with standouts including Braithwaite, Villasanti, and Cristaldo.

Internacional

• Internacional hosts Flamengo at Beira-Rio in the Libertadores round of 16 needing to win by two goals, with lineup changes and important absences.

• Inter seeks inspiration from key moments of the season, such as the state championship title and Libertadores victories, to try to overturn the deficit against Flamengo.

• Inter includes Carbonero in the squad and welcomes back Alan Patrick and Bruno Tabata to try to beat Flamengo and advance in the Libertadores.

Juventude

• Juventude will have only two center-backs available — Abner and Wilker Ángel — to face Vasco, due to injuries and suspensions of other defenders. Coach Thiago Carpini may turn to the youth squad and continues monitoring the market for reinforcements.

• Juventude secured the loan of defender Luan Freitas from Fluminense until the end of the year to reinforce its struggling defense, left with only two starters available. The player, twin brother of Lucas Freitas, arrives after impressing at Paysandu, where he played 48 matches and won four titles.

Mirassol

• Mirassol finalized the signing of goalkeeper Bruno Bertinato, 27, who has experience in Italian football and played in Série D for Portuguesa. He joins to replace Gustavo Lacerda and strengthen the squad alongside Walter, Alex Muralha, and Thomazella.

• Mirassol drew 1–1 with Cruzeiro, with a goal from Negueba, and maintained its home unbeaten streak, reaching 29 points in sixth place. Coach Rafael Guanaes praised the team’s performance despite a slow start and partially criticized refereeing.

Palmeiras

• Palmeiras announced the signing of goalkeeper Carlos Miguel, 26, ex-Nottingham Forest, with a five-year deal to serve as Weverton’s immediate backup.

• Palmeiras resumed talks with Andreas Pereira from Fulham to reinforce midfield after Richard Ríos’ departure, but negotiations have not advanced yet.

• Palmeiras is targeting Julio Enciso from Brighton but faces difficulties due to the high cost of the deal in this transfer window.

Santos

• Santos advanced negotiations with Jorge Sampaoli, already agreed on salary terms, and is now discussing reinforcements and conditions demanded by the coach to finalize his return.

• Matheus Bachi took interim charge of Santos after Cleber Xavier’s dismissal, while the board negotiates Jorge Sampaoli’s hiring.

• Santos signed midfielder Vitor Souto Neves, 17, from Cosmopolitano, to strengthen the U-17 squad for three seasons.

São Paulo

• São Paulo 1 x 1 Atlético Nacional (Colombia), MorumBIS Stadium, Copa Libertadores round of 16.

• São Paulo advanced to the Libertadores 2025 quarterfinals after beating Atlético Nacional 4–3 on penalties, following a 1–1 draw in regular time.

• São Paulo is close to signing right-back Maílton, 27, released by Metalist after a loan at Chapecoense.

• São Paulo had a poor performance against Atlético Nacional, stopping play after going 1–0 ahead and only advancing thanks to Rafael’s penalty saves.

Sport Recife

• Sérgio Oliveira is recovering well from injury and should return within 10 days, being available for Sport against Vasco on the 31st.

• Sport has shown interest in defender Luizão, ex-West Ham, but competition with other clubs makes the deal difficult, though still possible.

• Sport is also interested in Bayron Castillo, 30, who plays as both a right-back and right-winger. He currently plays for León.

Vasco

• Nottingham Forest signed Douglas Luiz for €30 million (R$191.6 million). As a formative club, Vasco will receive around R$4.3 million through FIFA’s solidarity mechanism.

• Vasco’s negotiations with Carlos Cuesta, Ikoné, and Onana have cooled due to high salary and signing bonus demands. Even so, Admar Lopes remains in Europe looking for reinforcements before the transfer window closes.

• Vasco faces Juventude this Wednesday with the return of Vegetti and the absence of Jair, suspended. Thiago Mendes is expected to replace him. Mateus Carvalho and Alex Teixeira are also out, and Andrés Gómez has not debuted yet.

Vitória

• Recovered from a knee injury, Willian Oliveira returned to training and will strengthen Vitória against Flamengo on the 25th in the Brasileirão.

• Vitória reinforced its U-20 squad with seven signings, aiming to fix gaps and add consistency to the youth system, according to manager Ricardo Amadeu.

• Vitória began preparations to face Flamengo on the 25th, with physical and technical training led by Fábio Carille.