The final round of the Campeonato Paulista 2025 delivered thrilling matches, setting the stage for the quarter-finals. The league concluded on February 23, 2025, with all eight games played simultaneously, showcasing teams vying for advancement and battling relegation.
One of the standout matches was Novorizontino's comeback victory over Botafogo-SP. They won 2-1 at Arena Nicnet, reinforcing their position for the next phase of the tournament. Botafogo started strong, with Leandro Maciel scoring the opener early on, just five minutes after kickoff. The home team, breathing life back to their game, displayed intense resilience. Marlon’s equalizer came shortly thereafter, at the 18th minute, when he capitalized on Botafogo's defensive error.
Novorizontino's decisive moment arrived at the 47th minute, when Bruno José scored following Matheus Frizzo's cross. Despite their win, the team faced adversity with Adriano Bispo being sent off for violent conduct. The match ended with Novorizontino securing their place against São Paulo.
Meanwhile, Corinthians capped off the group stage as the overall leaders, finishing with 27 points. They tied with Guarani 2-2, yet their solid performance throughout the tournament ensured first place. Mirassol secured the second spot from Group A and will contend against Corinthians next weekend. For Guarani, the singular point gained wasn’t enough to advance, as they remain out of the playoff picture.
Palmeiras faced Mirassol on this decisive day, needing victory to secure safe passage to the quarter-finals. The afternoon played out dramatically—Palmeiras triumphed 3-2, solidifying second place within their group. This outcome emphasized their competitiveness and secured their continuation as they navigated through the tight corners of the league.
São Paulo maintained consistent momentum, earning another victory against São Bernardo, winning 3-1, ensuring their place against Novorizontino. Their performance has been marked by strategic gameplay and effective execution on the field, leading to high expectations for the upcoming quarter-final encounter.
Group D demonstrated significant drama, with Ponte Preta finishing with 22 points after defeating Red Bull Bragantino 2-0. This confirmed their position for the quarter-finals. The standings established for Group D will send São Bernardo, Palmeiras, and Ponte Preta to the playoffs, leaving Velo Clube and Água Santa relegated by accumulating only seven points each, showcasing the ruthless competition of the league.
Looking at individual performances, Novorizontino's Bruno José continued to shine, becoming increasingly influential as the season progressed. His goal against Botafogo highlighted his capabilities and marked him as one of the players to watch going forward.
With the final matches behind them, teams are now gearing up for the quarter-finals, arranged as follows:
- Corinthians vs. Mirassol
- São Bernardo vs. Palmeiras
- São Paulo vs. Novorizontino
- Santos vs. Red Bull Bragantino
Fans eagerly anticipate the next round, where every kick matters. The competition intensifies as teams vie for the prestigious title of Campeonato Paulista champions, adding pressure and excitement to the upcoming matches. Will the teams manage to capitalize on their strengths and navigate the playoff challenges? Only time will tell.