Treze Football Club celebrated its return to form after securing a convincing 4-1 victory over Nacional de Patos, guaranteeing the club's spot in the semifinals of the Campeonato Paraibano 2025. The match, held on February 22, 2025, at the José Cavalcanti Stadium in Sousa, Paraíba, marked not only a substantial win but also the end of a 12-year drought for Treze against Nacional at this venue.
The last time Treze tasted victory at the José Cavalcanti was back in 2013, with a narrow 1-0 win. Over the years, they played seven more matches here against the Canário do Sertão, resulting in four wins for Nacional and three draws. “Now, the past is behind us,” quipped one jubilant Treze fan after the match.
During the game, Treze took the lead early on with Dione Ribas scoring from a free-kick just three minutes after the whistle. The midfielder’s deft execution set the tone for the rest of the match. Gustavo Schutz quickly followed suit, netting the second goal, amplifying Treze's momentum. The team's dominance was evident as Rafael Ibiapino added another goal, making it 3-0 before Nacional managed to break through Treze's defense with Ítalo scoring their sole goal.
Despite the brief moment of hope for Nacional, Treze's Daniel Mazerochi put the game to rest with the fourth goal during the closing minutes, sealing the comprehensive victory. The triumph not only secured their place among the top four teams of the tournament but also extinguished any chances for their main rivals, Campinense, who needed Treze to falter for their own playoff hopes.
Reflecting on the match, Dione expressed his thoughts, stating, "We knew classification wasn't guaranteed, but thank God we played great. Now, we will rest..." He recognized the challenge of facing Botafogo-PB next, acknowledging their prowess. "We have already faced Botafogo; they are a great team, but we will prepare ourselves. With humility and our feet on the ground, I am sure there will be two great games in the semifinal,” he added.
This upcoming semifinal clash will be contested under the high stakes characteristic of Paraibano football. The anticipated match between Treze and Botafogo-PB, traditionally labeled as the Clássico Tradição, promises to electrify fans. Seating advantages will favor the latter, as they finished higher on the table.
The other semifinal will include Sousa facing Serra Branca, with the latter team securing the fourth position following their own victory. Fans are eager for the Federation Paraibana de Futebol to release detailed fixtures for these thrilling matches.
The conclusion of the first phase brought mixed feelings as it also marked the end of the road for Campinense, which is out of the running for another year and will not step onto the pitch again until 2026 after finishing with unsatisfactory results. Meanwhile, the triumphs of Treze, Botafogo-PB, and Serra Branca have set the stage for what promises to be intense and competitive semifinal rounds.
With high hopes and skills on display, Treze aims to continue its impressive run and secure the championship title this season, as anticipation builds among players and supporters alike for these pivotal matches. Each goal, save, and tackle will count moving forward, but for now, the victory over Nacional de Patos serves as both relief and inspiration for Treze heading toward the semifinals.