Maringá Football Club pulled off an impressive upset against Caxias do Sul's Juventude on the night of February 25, 2025, eliminating the Série A team from the Copa do Brasil with a narrow 1-0 victory at the Estádio Willie Davids. The match showcased the determination of the Paraná-based team, known as Dogão, as they capitalized on home advantage to secure their advancement to the second round of the tournament.
The defining moment of the match came early on, just 16 minutes after kickoff, when Maringá’s defender, Cauã Tavares, found the back of the net with a powerful header. Following a well-executed corner taken by Negueba, the ball was diverted by Ronald at the near post, setting up Cauã perfectly to score. This goal not only marked Cauã as the hero for the night but also illustrated Maringá's fierce approach right from the start of the match.
Despite the early goal and dominance of the home team, the match was far from one-sided. Juventude, noted for its higher division status, found itself under pressure but slowly began to wake up. Their first true attempt at scoring occurred just minutes later, with midfielder Erick hitting the post, emphasizing the competitive nature of both teams. Throughout the game, Juventude managed to collect 18 shots, showcasing their determination to equalize, even as they continued to struggle against Maringá's organized defense.
While Juventude has been having its share of success, having reached the semifinals of the Campeonato Gaúcho, being eliminated at this stage of the Copa do Brasil is undoubtedly disappointing for the team. Coach Fábio Matias and his players only truly came alive as the match neared its conclusion, desperately trying to level the score. Notably, they came closest when Jean Carlos directed two header attempts on target, but Maringá's goalkeeper Dheimison made thrilling saves to keep the home team’s lead intact.
Commenting on the match, Luccas Oliveira of CNN Brasil pointed out the fact, saying, "O Juventude é o primeiro time da Série A do Brasileirão a ser eliminado da Copa do Brasil 2025," highlighting the significance of this result for Juventude as they now turn their focus back to local competitions.
On the other hand, Maringá celebrated this unexpected victory, capitalizing on their status as fierce competitors within their tournament history, which included making headlines two years ago by defeating Flamengo. Now, they are determined to continue their good fortune as they advance to face either União Tocantinópolis or América-RN, who were scheduled to play the following day to determine their opponent.
This victory has not only secured Maringá's presence beyond the first rounds but has also drawn financial rewards; the team received R$ 1 million for their progress, adding to the R$ 830,000 for simply participating. These figures highlight the importance of advancing beyond the preliminary stages of such prestigious tournaments.
Juventude, on the other hand, exits with the experience and knowledge gained from the match, alongside R$ 1,543,500 as their end-of-tournament prize for participation—an investment they hope will benefit their future endeavors as they shift focus back to the Campeonato Gaúcho. They will face Grêmio soon, having lost the first leg of their semifinals with the hope of turning things around.
This match exemplifies the unpredictability of knockout football where underdog stories can come to life, exemplified by Maringá's effort and tactical organization, which allowed them to rise above their competitors. With their eyes set on the next round, supporters of Maringá can rejoice, ready to see how far their team can go.