Red Bull Bragantino secured their place in the quarterfinals of the 2025 Campeonato Paulista by defeating Ponte Preta 2-0 on Sunday evening, February 23. The match, which was held at the Estádio Moisés Lucarelli, was decisive for both teams seeking qualification for the playoffs. With this convincing victory, Bragantino moves forward with confidence as they now prepare to face Santos, led by coach Pedro Caixinha and featuring star player Neymar.
From the outset of the match, Bragantino established dominance. They quickly opened the scoring within the first minute, showcasing their aggressive strategy. Following a well-executed corner kick, the ball found Jhon Jhon, who fired home after the initial cross was deflected. This early goal set the tone for the game, allowing Bragantino to maintain pressure on their opponents.
Despite Ponte Preta’s attempts to equalize, Bragantino continued to push forward. Their second goal came just before halftime, when Vinicinho was fouled inside the penalty area by Ponte Preta’s defender Saimon. Referee awarded the penalty, and Lucas Evangelista confidently stepped up to convert it, securing Bragantino’s lead at 2-0.
The game was not without its moments of tension, as Ponente Preta sought to fight back. At one point, Everton Brito found himself one-on-one with Bragantino's keeper Cleiton but missed the opportunity with his shot going wide. The away team’s defense remained resolute, with Cleiton making key saves and helping to maintain the clean sheet.
Guzmán Rodríguez, Bragantino's Uruguayan defender, drew attention late in the match when he was accidentally struck by the ball and collapsed. Fortunately, he regained consciousness quickly and was cleared without serious injury, only receiving some concern from teammates and the medical staff.
Reflecting on the match, Bragantino’s coach Fernando Seabra commented, "The strategy worked. I made the team seek victory throughout the game, even when it seemed secured." His leadership and tactical decisions were apparent as the team exhibited cohesion and tenacity throughout the match. Seabra’s ability to motivate players like Jhon Jhon and Vinicinho paid off, evident by their impactful performances.
Bragantino finishes the first phase of the tournament ranked 2nd in Group B, with 17 points over 12 matches, just shy of Santos who topped the group with 18 points. The upcoming quarterfinal match against Santos promises to be exhilarating, especially since it marks the first meeting following Caixinha’s departure from Bragantino at the close of last season; he left the club just as they were facing potential relegation from the Brasileirão.
The logistics for the quarterfinals, including the date, location, and time of the clash against Santos, are yet to be announced. Speculations suggest Santos may opt to host the match at their major stadium, potentially due to the star power of Neymar drawing larger crowds.
With the win against Ponte Preta, Bragantino aims to build on this momentum as they gear up for the next stage of the tournament, and fans eagerly anticipate their next encounter against one of their historical rivals.