Vitória walked away with a 1-0 victory over Maranhão on Tuesday, marking their progression to the second phase of the Copa do Brasil. The game, held at the Castelão Stadium in São Luís, featured Gabriel Baralhas as the standout player who scored the lone goal to seal the match.
The contest threatened to end without any scoring, heading toward penalties when, at 35 minutes of the second half, Janderson made a brilliant run down the right flank. His assist to Baralhas proved pivotal as the latter found the back of the net, ensuring Vitória's continued presence in the tournament and eliminating Maranhão.
With this win, Vitória not only secured their spot but also collected R$ 1,874,250 for advancing. The Copa do Brasil 2025 offers record prize money, with the eventual champion set to win R$ 101 million, and R$ 77.1 million awarded for just victory in the final. This financial incentive boosts the morale and aspirations of the Vitória football team as they aim for glory.
Despite the victory, the match was not without its challenges. The team, managed by Thiago Carpini, struggled to break through Maranhão's solid defense for much of the contest. Early minutes saw both teams adjust to each other's strategies, but by the first half, it was clear the Vitória offense struggled.
Possessing the ball for long stretches, they fell short on converting those opportunities. Their attempts at creating chances were repeatedly stymied by the formation employed by the Maranhão side, which effectively contained the Leão's attacking options.
Only through set pieces did Vitória manage to create any real threats. Defensive woes were apparent, as Jamerson struck the crossbar with a free kick late in the first half, but the score remained level. Following the halftime break, changes were made, and the team's attitude improved, yet Maranhão continued to test Vitória.
The climactic moment came with Janderson's decisive play, which saved the team from the brink of penalties, granting them the slenderest of victories. Following the match, the focus immediately shifted to their upcoming game against Náutico.
This challenging dual awaits on the 5th and 12th of March, as the second phase of the Copa do Brasil kicks off. Meanwhile, they have also set their eyes on local duty, with the Campeonato Baiano semifinal against Atlético de Alagoinhas looming on February 1 at 18:30.
With this victory, Vitória extends their impressive streak to 19 matches unbeaten across competitions, setting the stage for what could be their year, both on the national stage and locally.
Manager Thiago Carpini remains optimistic about his squad's capabilities, citing the return of players with experience from their Serie A campaign, such as Willian Oliveira and Matheuzinho, to guide fresh talent through challenging matches.
While they must rectify certain issues from their game against Maranhão, such as capitalizing on goal-scoring chances, they move forward with confidence and the commitment to building on their successful start to the season.
Fans are eager for what both the Copa do Brasil and the Campeonato Baiano hold for their beloved Leão as the stakes continue to rise.