Londrina made a triumphant return to the Estádio Vitorino Gonçalves Dias (VGD) on April 14, 2025, as they kicked off their Série C campaign with a convincing 3-1 victory over Ypiranga. The match, which began at 20:00 (Brasília time), saw the Tubarão showcase their ambition for promotion after a strong showing in the regional leagues.
In front of a lively crowd of 6,399 fans, Londrina took control early in the match. Caio opened the scoring just six minutes in, deftly redirecting a header into the net after a corner kick. The home side's dominance continued throughout the first half, with Iago Telles and Pablo both coming close to extending the lead.
The second goal came in the 37th minute, when Gustavo França capitalized on a well-placed cross from Maurício, heading the ball past Ypiranga's goalkeeper to double Londrina's advantage. With a comfortable 2-0 lead at halftime, the Tubarão appeared poised to secure all three points.
As the second half commenced, Ypiranga made tactical adjustments and initially gained the upper hand. Willian Gomes threatened with a header, but Londrina's defense held firm. However, the home team soon regained their rhythm and struck again in the 26th minute of the second half. Cédric, who received a pass from Gustavo França, unleashed a shot from the edge of the area that deflected off a defender, finding the back of the net for a 3-0 lead.
Despite the daunting scoreline, Ypiranga refused to back down. Marlone managed to pull one back in the 42nd minute, scoring a consolation goal for the Canarinho. However, it was too little, too late, as Londrina secured a solid start to their Série C campaign.
This match also marked a significant milestone for Londrina, as it was their first game at the VGD in nine years. The last time they played there was in 2016 against PSTC for the Troféu do Interior. Since then, they had been using the Estádio do Café, but recent renovations at VGD have brought them back home.
Coach Claudinei Oliveira expressed satisfaction with his team's performance, stating, "We started the season strong, and our goal is to reach the final phase of Série C. The players executed the game plan well, and the support from our fans was incredible." The addition of key players like Vitinho, on loan from Red Bull Bragantino, and Édson Cariús has bolstered the squad's aspirations for success this season.
On the other hand, Ypiranga, under the guidance of coach Matheus Costa, faced an uphill battle after a promising start to their own campaign. They entered the match following a friendly win against São Luiz and had high hopes of building on their success from the previous season, where they also reached the quadrangular final of Série C but fell short of promotion.
Ypiranga's recent achievements include winning the Taça Farroupilha, which secured them a spot in the next Copa do Brasil. However, the loss to Londrina puts them in a challenging position as they aim to bounce back in their upcoming match against Itabaiana on April 19, 2025.
Looking ahead, Londrina will face Floresta on Sunday, April 20, 2025, as they continue their quest for promotion. With their strong performance against Ypiranga, the Tubarão appears ready to make a serious push for the top spots in Série C.
This match not only showcased the competitive spirit of both teams but also highlighted the passionate support from their respective fanbases. As the season unfolds, fans can expect more thrilling encounters as teams vie for promotion to the second division of Brazilian football.
