Operário Ferroviário secured its place in the final phase of the Campeonato Paranaense with a commanding 2-0 victory over FC Cascavel on Saturday, February 8, 2025. The match took place at Estádio Germano Krüger and marked another important step for the club aiming for glory this season.
The encounter began with FC Cascavel applying significant pressure on the hosts. Despite having the majority of possession, Operário struggled to create meaningful chances, with the visitors forcing them to play cautiously. By the 28th minute, there was still no score on the board, as Cascavel registered five attempts on goal compared to none for Operário.
Operário finally managed to break through with their first clear chance just before halftime. A corner led to Joseph heading the ball toward the goal,which struck the crossbar, leaving the teams level at 0-0 as they headed for the dressing rooms.
The second half saw Operário come out revitalized. A key moment occurred shortly after the hydration break when FC Cascavel's Thiago Lopes collapsed on the field, apparently struggling to breathe. Medical staff attended immediately, and he was stabilized and taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure, drawing concern from players and staff alike.
Returning to the match after this tense moment, Operário capitalized on their opportunity. At the 38-minute mark, Rodrigo Rodrigues broke the deadlock with the game's first goal. Following a well-placed cross from Kleiton, Rodrigo capitalized with a low shot directed past the Cascavel goalkeeper.
With the momentum shifting, Operário continued to apply pressure. Just minutes later, the visitors found themselves down to ten men when Miguel Alcântara received his marching orders due to a disagreement on the field, allowing Operário to exploit the man advantage. The hosts took full advantage, adding their second goal at the 54-minute mark as Kleiton found the net with a strong header from Jean Lucas's delivery.
The result sent Operário to the top of the standings, as they now boast 18 points and will face Coritiba next at Couto Pereira on February 11.
The defeat did not bode well for FC Cascavel, now stuck at 8th place with 12 points, struggling to make any upward movement after suffering consecutive losses. Having previously lost to Andraus 2-0, the team will need to regroup quickly for their upcoming matches, starting with Athletico on February 12.
Reflecting on the match, coach Bruno Pivetti emphasized the immense responsibility now resting on the shoulders of his players as they continue to push for success, stating, "Oito pontos da classificação estão em jogo, então nossa responsabilidade é enorme."
Operário’s combination of tactical adjustments and sheer determination highlighted their fight for supremacy within the league, and fans are now eager to see how their team responds to this fruitful momentum moving forward.