Rio Branco-ES Advances To Finals After Dramatic Victory

In an exciting match on Saturday night, March 22, 2025, Rio Branco-ES secured a spot in the finals of the Campeonato Capixaba 2025 by defeating Desportiva Ferroviária 1-0 at the Engenheiro Araripe stadium. The match was tightly contested, with a goal from Matheus Costa in injury time sealing the victory for the Capa-Preta.

The Capa-Preta entered the game needing a win following a draw in the first leg of the semifinals, and they achieved just that, putting them through to the finals where they will also represent the state in the Copa do Brasil next year.

The game featured a first half that was marked by intense competition and some technical difficulties, particularly due to the poor condition of the pitch at the Engenheiro Araripe stadium. Desportiva Ferroviária managed to maintain better possession early on, but both teams struggled to create clear chances.

Yet, as the first half progressed, Rio Branco-ES began to stabilize their game, with a close attempt from Emerson Martins just before Costa capitalized on a counter-attack to net the decisive goal.

In the second half, Rio Branco-ES faced additional challenges, including the loss of defender Darlan who had to leave the field in an ambulance due to injury. The team also faced disciplinary issues as Bruno Silva received a red card for dissent.

As the match dwindled toward its conclusion, Desportiva Ferroviária pressed hard for an equalizer, even coming close to scoring twice. However, both attempts at penalties were reviewed by VAR and ultimately denied. On the final whistle, the players and fans of Rio Branco-ES erupted in celebration, securing their spot in the finals.

Looking ahead, Rio Branco-ES will face the winner of the second semifinal matchup between Vitória-ES and Porto Vitória, with Vitória-ES having taken a narrow 1-0 lead in the first leg. The return leg is set to take place on Sunday, March 23, 2025, at Salvador Costa stadium.

The final matches of the Campeonato Capixaba 2025 will be held on two consecutive Saturdays, March 29 and April 5, both starting at 16:30 (Brasília time), at the prestigious Kleber Andrade stadium in Cariacica. This year's tournament has proven highly competitive with the Capa-Preta once again vying for title glory.

As the anticipation builds for the championship finals, fans of Rio Branco-ES are hopeful the team can carry momentum through to the final stages of the tournament and reclaim the title they last held several years ago. With a mix of determination and talent on display, the upcoming matches promise to be thrilling for football fans across the region.