In a thrilling encounter at the Arena Pantanal, Cuiabá emerged victorious over Athletico-PR with a score of 2-1 on the night of April 15, 2025. This match marked the opening of the third round of the Série B of the Campeonato Brasileiro, and it was a clash between two teams vying for promotion to the top tier of Brazilian football.
The game began with Athletico-PR taking an early lead, showcasing their aerial prowess. Just 14 minutes into the first half, Léo Pelé found the back of the net after a well-executed corner kick taken by Zapelli. Luiz Fernando deftly deflected the ball at the near post, allowing Léo to complete the move and put the visitors ahead.
However, Cuiabá was determined not to let the early setback define their night. After a somewhat subdued first half, they returned from the break with renewed energy and focus. The turning point came in the second half when, at the 14-minute mark, Lucas Mineiro equalized for Cuiabá with a powerful header from a corner taken by Sander. This goal not only revitalized the home crowd but also shifted the momentum firmly in Cuiabá's favor.
Just over ten minutes later, the home team completed their comeback. Pedrinho capitalized on a critical mistake by Athletico's defender Palacios, who misjudged a long pass. With a calm demeanor, Pedrinho slotted the ball past the goalkeeper Mycael, giving Cuiabá a 2-1 lead at the 26-minute mark of the second half.
Despite the setback, Athletico-PR fought valiantly to regain control. They pressed hard for an equalizer, and their efforts almost paid off when Giuliano unleashed a powerful shot from outside the box, only to be denied by a stellar save from Cuiabá's goalkeeper Matheus Pasinato.
The intensity of the match escalated further when Cuiabá's Max received a red card in stoppage time for an altercation with Habraão. This left the home team with ten men, but Athletico-PR was unable to capitalize on their numerical advantage, and the match ended 2-1 in favor of Cuiabá.
This victory propelled Cuiabá to the top of the Série B standings with seven points, while Athletico-PR, who entered the match undefeated, dropped to fifth place with six points. The loss marked the end of their perfect start to the season.
Looking ahead, Athletico-PR will host CRB on Sunday, April 20, 2025, at 19:00 Brasília time, as they look to bounce back from this defeat. Meanwhile, Cuiabá will aim to maintain their momentum when they visit Atlético-GO on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at 19:30 Brasília time.
This match not only highlighted the competitive nature of the Série B but also set the stage for an exciting season as teams battle for promotion. With both teams showing flashes of brilliance, fans can expect more thrilling encounters in the coming weeks.
