The quarter-finals of the 2025 Paulistão Championship are set, concluding the first phase of the tournament with the announcement of which teams will advance and which will face relegation. After the thrilling matches played on Sunday, February 23, the group stage provided some defining moments.
Corinthians topped the group stage, gathering 27 points, and will face Mirassol at the Neo Química Arena. Meanwhile, São Paulo, who got the fourth-best record, will square off against Novorizontino at Morumbi Stadium. Santos will take on Red Bull Bragantino at the Vila Belmiro, and São Bernardo will host Palmeiras.
The quarter-finals will take place on the weekend of March 1-2, 2025, with the schedule and times to be confirmed by the Federation Paulista de Futebol (FPF) during their upcoming technical congress.
The quarter-final matches will be single-elimination games, allowing the highest-seeded teams the advantage of playing at home. This structure not only adds excitement for the fans but also increases the stakes for the players, who are entirely aware of the ramifications of advancing (or not) based on their performance.
Despite the competitive spirit of the league, two teams faced the unfortunate fate of relegation. Both Água Santa and Inter de Limeira ended up at the bottom of their respective groups throughout the 12 rounds of the group phase. Inter de Limeira, bringing up the rear, managed only seven points—consisting entirely of draws and losses—without securing any wins, leading to their swift exit from the elite division.
Similarly, Água Santa wrapped up their campaign with the same total of seven points, achieving just one victory against Red Bull Bragantino during the fourth round. They finished with notable struggles, recording four draws and seven losses, along with negative goal differentials.
Now, as the excitement builds for the quarter-finals, each match promises to deliver thrilling encounters as teams vie for supremacy. History favors the four major clubs of São Paulo—Corinthians, São Paulo, Santos, and Palmeiras—who all successfully advanced, marking the return of all four to the knockout stages for the first time since 2020.
Analyzing the teams' journeys to the quarter-finals reveals how competitive and unpredictable this season has been. Corinthians performed exceptionally, only losing once throughout the phase, showcasing their tactical prowess and effective strategies, solidifying their position as favorites going forward.
Palmeiras also shone brightly, demonstrating resilience with their strong goal differential, answering the challenges thrown by their opponents. São Paulo and Santos likewise demonstrated their footballing might, promising fierce matches for their respective upcoming opponents.
Fans now eagerly await the quarter-finals, hoping for spectacular displays of skill and strategy, as only the best will progress to the semi-finals scheduled for March 8-9, followed by the final matches to crown the champions on March 16 and 27.
Just as the stakes are rising with each match, the stories of the relegated teams serve as reminders of the challenges faced and the unyielding nature of competition. The exit of both Água Santa and Inter de Limeira serves as motivation for them to return stronger next season, aiming for redemption and success.
With the quarter-finals approaching, the essence of the Paulistão Championship continues to be encapsulated through moments of glory, disappointment, and much anticipation for what’s to come.