In a thrilling encounter at Estádio Hailé Pinheiro on Thursday, April 17, 2025, Goiás and Vila Nova battled to a 2-2 draw in the third round of the Campeonato Brasileiro Série B. The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, featuring stunning goals and a dramatic finish that left fans on the edge of their seats.
Goiás started the match strong, with Arthur Caíke opening the scoring at the 26th minute. After receiving a well-placed pass, Caíke expertly controlled the ball before unleashing a precise shot that found the back of the net, igniting celebrations among the 11,383 spectators in attendance.
However, Vila Nova responded valiantly, equalizing just before halftime. In the 40th minute, Facundo Labandeira showcased his skill by weaving through the Goiás defense, receiving a clever back-heel pass from Gabriel Poveda before slotting the ball past goalkeeper Tadeu. The first half ended with both teams level at 1-1, setting the stage for an exciting second half.
The second half continued the trend of back-and-forth action. Goiás regained the lead in the 20th minute when Messias rose above the crowd to head home a corner taken by Rafael Gava. The home crowd erupted as they saw their team go ahead once more, making it 2-1.
But just when it seemed Goiás would secure all three points, Vila Nova struck again. In the 43rd minute, Arílson, who had just come off the bench, found himself unmarked in the box after a free-kick from Jean Mota. He powered a header past Tadeu, bringing the score to 2-2 and sending the Vila Nova fans into a frenzy.
The match was not without controversy, as Elias of Vila Nova was shown a red card for inciting the Goiás supporters during the celebrations following Arílson's equalizer. Despite being a man up in the closing moments, Goiás failed to capitalize on their advantage, and the match ended in a draw.
With this result, Vila Nova extended their unbeaten streak against Goiás to nine matches, a record in the history of this fierce rivalry. During this stretch, Vila Nova has recorded four draws and five victories, with Goiás's last win over them dating back to the 2023 Campeonato Goiano.
In terms of league standings, Goiás now sits in second place with seven points, just two points behind leaders CRB. Meanwhile, Vila Nova occupies the tenth position with four points. Both teams will be looking to improve their standings when they return to action on Sunday, April 20, 2025. Goiás will face América Mineiro, while Vila Nova takes on Botafogo-SP.
The match generated a revenue of R$ 187,125.00, reflecting the passion and support of the fans for both teams. The officiating crew for the match included referee Rafael Rodrigo Klein and assistants Michael Stanislau and Maurício Coelho Silva Penna, with Paulo Roberto Moreira da Silva serving as the video assistant referee.
As the teams prepare for their upcoming fixtures, the excitement remains high in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série B, with fans eagerly anticipating what’s next in this thrilling season.
