In a thrilling conclusion to the quarterfinals of the Campeonato Paulista da Série A2, Primavera secured its position in the semifinals after defeating Santo André 1-0 on March 19, 2025. This closely contested match, held at the Estádio Ítalo Mário Limongi in Indaiatuba, showcased not only the tenacity of Primavera but also underscored the challenges faced by Santo André throughout the season.
The match saw a strategic backdrop as both teams had faced each other before but had ended in draws. In fact, their first clash in this edition of the Paulistão resulted in a goalless draw. However, it was Primavera's Lucas Douglas who broke the deadlock with a header in the second half, capitalizing on a defensive error from Santo André's goalkeeper, Carlão.
Primavera dominated the match, finishing the first leg with a significant 32 points over the season and asserting itself as the top-performing team throughout the tournament. Their success in the quarterfinals was marked by a solid season that included eight wins, an impressive goal record of 18-7. Notably, their goal difference of 11 reflects the team's overall defensive strength and offensive prowess.
Meanwhile, Santo André, who has faced a rollercoaster season, finished the first round in the eighth position, securing 21 points from their 17 matches, including five wins, and sadly, they face an uncertain future as they will not compete officially until the Copa Paulista begins in the second half of 2025. Post-match, Carlão expressed his sentiments on the team's shortcomings while calling out management: "It's a feeling of frustration. We believed in this access, and we are left frustrated. Few know the difficulties we are facing. Our board must honor the commitments agreed with the athletes. This needs to serve as a lesson for our management for the next year because Santo André deserves to be in the first division."
Despite their position in the quarterfinals, the issues for Santo André ran deeper. Throughout the season, they experienced difficulties such as salary delays and a lack of commitment from the management. Struggles that the team dealt with all season long, which Carlão lamented in his statement, ultimately clouded the club's potential for a successful campaign. "When everything is wrong, things don't go well," he remarked, emphasizing the weight of expectations placed upon the club by fans and supporters.
On another front, the teams competing for the remaining semifinal positions on March 19 included Capivariano, who faced XV de Piracicaba. With XV having secured a 1-0 victory in the first leg on March 15, they went into their matchup with a slight advantage. XV’s coach, Moisés Egert, acknowledged the magnitude of the coming game, referring to it as “the game of the year” for the club. XV's chances of success hinged on maintaining their form and overcoming their rival in what was expected to be a challenging match. Coach Egert prepared his players not just technically but mentally, encouraging them to harness their focus and handle the anxiety that typically comes with such high-stakes matchups.
The semifinals of the Série A2 are scheduled for March 23 and 30, 2025, with all ties to be resolved via penalties if the aggregate scores end level. The top-performing teams are expected to face off for a chance at promotion to the prestigious Paulistão of 2026. Furthermore, all semifinal matches will employ VAR to assure fairness and transparency during this critical period.
As the dust settles on the quarterfinals, the spotlight now shifts to the upcoming battles that will determine which teams will ascend to the top tier. Teams must navigate not only their on-field tactics but also the strategic psychology uniquely associated with elimination matches. Santo André's future remains uncertain, but for teams like Primavera, hopes for promotion are alive and flourishing as they gear up to challenge and secure their place among the best in Brazilian football.
