Monte Azul Paulista, SP - The weekend saw Atlético Monte Azul score a significant victory, defeating Marília Atlético Clube 3-1 at the Otacília Patrício Arroyo Stadium on February 23, 2025. This thrilling match marked the tenth round of the Serie A3, showcasing intense competition among the teams vying for the top positions.
The game started with high expectations as both teams boasted strong offensive line-ups. Marília opened the scoring late in the first half through their center-forward, Lucas Lima. Lima capitalized on some chaotic defending to nod home from close range after a whirlwind play initiated by Marcondele, who was instrumental throughout the match. This goal came at 48 minutes, just as the halftime whistle approached, giving Marília the edge with a 1-0 lead.
Despite the setback, Monte Azul displayed resilience. The team's persistence paid off early in the second half when they found the equalizer. At 62 minutes, Monte Azul's Gui Salles was fouled inside the box by Marília’s Romário. Salles stepped up to convert the penalty kick, smashing the ball straight down the middle, bringing the score to 1-1 and reigniting Monte Azul's hopes.
With momentum on their side, Monte Azul continued pressing. The team's efforts culminated at the 80-minute mark when Cirilo headed home from a corner taken by Pedoca, giving Monte Azul their first lead of the match at 2-1. The stadium erupted as the home fans celebrated this turning point, marking Cirilo's significant contribution to the team's effort.
The match was sealed with just minutes to go. At 86 minutes, Vinícios fired from outside the box, and Marília’s goalkeeper Wagner Coradin mishandled the shot, allowing the ball to slip past him and confirming the home team's victory. With this, Vinícios made his mark on the match, rounding off the final score at 3-1.
This win propelled Monte Azul to third place with 19 points, tied with second-placed Marília but having fewer victories, underscoring the competitive nature of Serie A3. Sertãozinho sits atop the table with 20 points after their victory earlier the same day.
Both teams look to quickly rebound from this match. Monte Azul will take on Comercial on February 26 at 15:00, hoping to build on their newfound momentum. Similarly, Marília will look to recover and host Catanduva at their home ground, the Bento de Abreu Sampaio Vidal, later the same day at 19:30. The next fixtures promise to be just as thrilling as the last, as teams continue to jockey for position on the Serie A3 leaderboard.