Overview

• Renato put Santa Cruz ahead at 31 minutes before Elvinho equalized at 38 and Bernabé scored the second-half winner for Barra at 14.
• The return leg is set for Saturday, October 4 at 16:00 in Itajaí, where Barra needs a draw to be champion and Santa Cruz must win by one to force penalties or by two to take the trophy.
• The match at Arena Pernambuco drew 45,550 fans and generated R$1,610,750 in gate receipts, reported as the largest single-match revenue in Santa Cruz’s history.
• Santa Cruz pressed early and created chances but faded after conceding, with home fans booing during substitutions, including directed at Thiago Galhardo.
• Barra and Santa Cruz, along with semifinalists Maranhão and Inter de Limeira, will compete in Série C in 2026 after securing promotion during the knockout stage.