One of the semi-final clashes of Series A1 (first division) of the Brazilian Women's Football Championship has been defined. This Saturday (5), Flamengo and São Paulo came out on top in their respective clashes for the quarterfinals and will be opponents for a place in the decision.
At Arena da Fonte Luminosa, in Araraquara (SP), Meninas da Gávea held on to a 2-2 draw with Ferroviária, playing more than half of the second half with one less player against the team that passed the stage with the fourth best campaign. The match was broadcast live on TV Brasil.
The Reds, who advanced to the knockout stage in fifth place, benefited from a 1-0 victory in the first leg, a week earlier, at the Estádio Luso-Brasileiro, in Rio de Janeiro. Since 2019, the Rio team, champions in 2016, had not reached the semi-finals of the Brasileirão.
Pressing from the start, Flamengo was rewarded for its stance after just 11 minutes. Winger Fabi Simões was activated at the edge of the area by midfielder Fernanda and hit Luciana's left corner. The goalkeeper still touched the ball, but was unable to defend.
The Railway's response came four minutes later. Defender Flávia Mota tried to prevent the ball from going out on the sideline and was disarmed by Dos Santos. From the left wing, she launched fellow striker Thayslane, who was calm in the area to displace goalkeeper Vivi and leave everything equal.
At 19, the Guerreiras Grenás took the lead on the scoreboard. This time, Thayslane escaped the Núbia defender on the right and crossed. Full-back Fátima Dutra headed the ball and Dos Santos, in the middle of the area, shot first time, scoring a beautiful goal at Fonte Luminosa.
Meninas da Gávea reacted and tied after 30 minutes. Midfielder Djeni, following an exchange of passes, found Jucinara invading the area from the left. The full-back received it, took the ball to her right leg and sent it into Luciana's net.
In the final stage, after just three minutes, Flamengo had one player less. Full-back Monalisa made a strong tackle on Fátima Dutra and received a second yellow card, being sent off.
The Railway launched the attack to take advantage of numerical superiority. In the 25th minute, Fátima Dutra was called in from the left, inside the area, and ended up falling into a ball dispute with Flávia Mota. Referee Ruthyanna Medeiros da Silva initially gave a penalty, but after seeing the move on the video, she canceled the call.
At 39, the Guerreiras Grenás even found the net once again, with Rhaissa, following a shot from the Kati side that ended up deflected by the defense. The goal, however, was disallowed due to the attacker being offside.
In stoppage time, the São Paulo club even hit the crossbar with defender Monique's shot, which Vivi still deflected. It was the hosts' last real chance. In the end, the party was red and black in Araraquara.
São Paulo in the fray
About 180 kilometers away, in Campinas (SP), São Paulo beat Grêmio 2-0 at the Brinco de Ouro da Princesa Stadium. In the first leg, a week ago, the tricolors were at zero at the Alfredo Jaconi Stadium, in Caxias do Sul (RS).
The goals all came at the end of the second half. In the 44th minute, full-back Carol Gil received the ball on the right and crossed. Amid the fight in the area, the ball fell to striker Giovanna Crivelari, who finished in the left corner of goalkeeper Sol.
The Musketeers went all out on the attack in the final minutes in search of a draw, but gave way to the counterattack that decided the match. At 50, already in stoppage time, Kesia advanced from the right to the center and opened on the left for fellow striker Vi Amaral, who shot across the goal to score the qualifying goal.
Owner of the best campaign in the first phase, São Paulo will have the advantage of field control in the second leg of the clash against Flamengo. Since moving up to Series A1 in 2020, the Soberanas were only out of the semi-finals in 2021, when they fell in the quarter-finals. The tricolors reached the final in 2024, being runners-up to Corinthians.
Bahia makes history
The first classified in the semifinals of the Brasileirão Feminino was Bahia. Last Friday night (4), Mulheres de Aço defeated Palmeiras 5-4, on penalties, after a 1-1 draw at Arena Barueri during normal time.
Winger Raissa Bahia opened the scoring for Palestrinas and winger Dan equalized for the visitors. The duel was broadcast live on TV Brasil.
It is the first time that Tricolor Bahia has placed among the top four. Furthermore, since 2015 a club from the Northeast has not reached the semi-finals of the country's main women's football tournament. On that occasion, the region was represented by Tiradentes-PI, in another dispute format.
Bahia's heroine was Yanne. Last Monday (31), when the teams were 1-1 at Casa de Apostas Arena Fonte Nova, in Salvador, the goalkeeper had already saved a penalty from Bia Zaneratto. In Barueri (SP), the number 12 of the Women of Steel shone in the penalty shootout, saving Taina Maranhão's shot. Also forward Cassia scored the tricolor classification goal.
The Bahians await whoever passes in the clash between Corinthians and Cruzeiro, who meet again this Monday (7), at 5pm (Brasília time), at Canindé, in São Paulo. In the first game, a week earlier, the São Paulo team won 1-0 at Arena Independência, in Belo Horizonte, with a goal from striker Vic Albuquerque.
The Brabas have the advantage of a draw in the second leg. The Cabulosas must win by two or more goals to qualify in normal time. If the Minas Gerais team equals the aggregate score, their place in the semi-finals will be decided on penalties.
