On April 27, 2025, at Allianz Parque, Palmeiras faced off against Bahia in the sixth round of the Campeonato Brasileiro Betano. The match ended in a surprising 1-0 victory for Bahia, marking their first win away from home this season, thanks to a late goal by Kayky in the 48th minute of the second half. This defeat not only halted Palmeiras' impressive streak of seven consecutive victories across all competitions but also saw them drop to second place in the league standings with 13 points, while Bahia climbed to seventh with 9 points.
The atmosphere in Allianz Parque was electric, with an attendance of 29,033 fans witnessing a match that started with both teams eager to assert themselves. Palmeiras, looking to maintain their lead in the league, began the match with a strong lineup, featuring Weverton in goal and Flaco López leading the attack. Bahia, under the guidance of coach Rogério Ceni, fielded a solid side, with Marcos Felipe in goal and a focus on quick counterattacks.
The first half was characterized by a tactical battle, with both teams creating opportunities but failing to convert them into goals. Palmeiras controlled possession early on, attempting to exploit the flanks. However, Bahia's defense held firm, effectively neutralizing the Verdão's attacks. The best chance of the half fell to Bahia when Willian José found himself one-on-one with Weverton, but the Palmeiras goalkeeper made a crucial save, denying the visitors a goal.
As the match progressed, Palmeiras struggled to break down Bahia's organized defense. Despite multiple attempts, including a close-range effort from Maurício that went over the bar, the home side could not find the back of the net. The first half concluded with both teams locked in a goalless stalemate, leaving fans hoping for a more action-packed second half.
During the halftime break, coach Abel Ferreira made significant changes to his lineup, introducing Estêvão and Vitor Roque to add more dynamism to the attack. This adjustment paid off as Palmeiras came out with renewed vigor in the second half, creating several clear chances. One notable moment came when Paulinho, who had also been subbed in, combined well with Estêvão, leading to a powerful header from Flaco López that narrowly missed the target.
Despite their offensive pressure, Palmeiras struggled to find the finishing touch. Vitor Roque, who had not scored in his last ten appearances, found himself in a promising position but was thwarted by Bahia's defense, with Erick making a crucial clearance off the line. The frustration was palpable as the home team continued to press for a goal, with Weverton making several key saves to keep Bahia at bay.
As the match neared its conclusion, it seemed destined to end in a draw. However, in a dramatic twist, Kayky capitalized on a well-worked move in the dying moments of the game. After a series of quick passes, he found himself face to face with Weverton. With a deft touch, Kayky lifted the ball over the goalkeeper, hitting the underside of the crossbar before it crossed the line, sending the Bahia fans into a frenzy.
Following the goal, the Palmeiras players pushed hard for an equalizer, but time was against them. The match ended with Bahia celebrating a hard-fought victory, while Palmeiras faced the reality of having lost their top position in the league to Flamengo, who had earlier defeated Corinthians 4-0.
Post-match reactions highlighted the contrasting emotions of the two teams. Kayky, the hero of the night, expressed his joy, stating, "With a squad full of talent, we can rotate players and still perform well. This win is crucial for our goals this season." On the other hand, Palmeiras' Paulinho reflected on the missed opportunities, saying, "We created chances, especially in the second half, but sometimes the ball just doesn’t go in. We need to keep our heads up and focus on the next matches."
Looking ahead, Palmeiras will aim to bounce back as they prepare to face Ceará in the Copa do Brasil on April 30, followed by a league match against Vasco on May 4. Bahia, buoyed by their victory, will also be in action against Paysandu on the same day, looking to build on their momentum.
The defeat was a wake-up call for Palmeiras, who will need to regroup quickly if they hope to challenge for the title this season. With the league still wide open, every match will be crucial as teams jostle for position in the standings.
