In a thrilling encounter at the Bento de Abreu Stadium, Marília triumphed over União São João with a decisive 3-0 victory on March 26, 2025, advancing to the semi-finals of the Paulistão Série A3 for the first time in six editions. The home team needed to win by at least two goals after losing the first leg 1-0, and they delivered with a commanding performance.
Marília's goals came from Lucas Lima, Rodrigo Fumaça, and Brinquedo, showcasing the team's attacking prowess. The match started with an early commotion when Marília's Rodrigo Andrade fouled União's Gabriel Cunha, leading to the expulsion of União's physical trainer, Ricardo Costa, after a heated exchange between the teams' coaching staffs.
Lucas Lima opened the scoring in the 14th minute, capitalizing on a rebound from a header by Jefferson Alves that was initially saved by União's goalkeeper, Matheus Pelegrini. This goal marked Lima's eighth of the tournament. Just 11 minutes later, Rodrigo Fumaça doubled the lead, finding the net with a header from a well-placed cross by Dudu.
Despite holding a 2-0 lead, Marília had a chance to extend their advantage when Andrade was awarded a penalty shortly before halftime. However, his attempt was saved by Pelegrini, leaving the score at 2-0 as the teams headed into the break.
In the second half, União sought to regain control, but Marília's defense held strong. The home side struck again in the 27th minute, with Brinquedo scoring after a cross from Miguel Baggio, sealing the match at 3-0. União, which only needed a draw to advance, could not withstand the pressure from Marília and failed to create significant scoring opportunities.
The match concluded with a total attendance of 3,036 fans, generating a revenue of R$ 30,530. The referee for the match, Thiago Lourenço de Mattos, managed a game that featured numerous yellow cards, including two for Marília's Douglas Dias and Brinquedo, and five for União's players, including a second yellow for Borges, who was sent off in the closing minutes.
With this victory, Marília has set its sights on the semi-finals, where they will face Sertãozinho, who advanced after defeating Catanduva. The first leg of this semi-final will take place in Sertãozinho, with the return match scheduled for Marília's home ground, the Abreuzão. Dates and times for these matches will be announced by the Federação Paulista de Futebol (FPF) on March 27, 2025.
The other semi-final will see Monte Azul take on Rio Branco, promising an exciting conclusion to this year's tournament. As the teams gear up for the next round, Marília's fans are hopeful that their team can continue this momentum and make a strong push for the championship.
In other football news, the Copa Limeira and Copa Cecap de Futebol Amador commenced over the weekend, featuring various local teams competing for glory. The Copa Limeira saw matches like Ouro Verde drawing with Comodoro and Lago Azul falling to Novo Horizonte, while the Copa Cecap featured Juventude defeating Az de Ouro.
As the football season progresses, local teams are not only competing for titles but also for the support and passion of their communities. Each match brings its own story, and with the stakes rising, fans are eager to see how their teams will perform in the coming weeks.
