Santa Cruz overcome 20-second setback to return to Brasileirão Série B

Santa Cruz overcome 20-second setback to return to Brasileirão Série B There was a goal after just 20 seconds and plenty of tension at Arena Pernambuco. But Santa Cruz is back in Série B of the Brazilian Championship . After a 2024 season in which they had NO division to play in and played only 13 matches, Santinha secured a second straight promotion this Saturday (3) . They responded, fought back for a 1-1 draw with Maringá at Arena Pernambuco in front of 45,500 fans, and sealed promotion with one round to spare. It will end a long drought, as they have not played in Série B since 2017. Standings situation 📊 After taking the eighth and final spot for the second phase, Santa Cruz reached 11 points in Group B. They opened a four-point gap over Floresta, who beat Botafogo 1-0 and moved up to seven points, with one round remaining. Maringá, on eight points, is still alive in the race for the group’s second Série B spot. They are also chasing a first-ever promotion, just like the Ceará side. The final round will be next Saturday (10), with Botafogo (one point) vs. Santa Cruz (11) and Maringá (eight) vs. Floresta (seven). Whoever finishes in first place will play the final against the leader of the other group. Special mosaic There was plenty of celebration before kickoff in São Lourenço da Mata. The tricolor fans put on a show. Lightning-fast goal Maringá quickly stunned the home crowd with Maranhão’s goal on their very first attack. The first half belonged to a superior Maringá side, even though Santinha had more of the ball. The promotion-clinching goal ⬆️ The tricolor response came as early as the sixth minute of the second half through Pedro Favela. Dogão kept pushing until the end, including a shot off the post in the 49th minute and a save by Thiago Coelho. Santa Cruz, meanwhile, had space to go for the comeback win. They did not score, but they celebrated the long-awaited promotion in front of their fans. And the other group? Saturday (3) could still bring more promotions to Série B with the Group A matches. Ferroviária (eight points) visits Paysandu (one). Inter de Limeira (six) hosts Brusque (five) in a "final." The matches kick off at 7:30 p.m. Brasília time. This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.