Santa Cruz guarantees access to Série B 2027 after draw with Maringá at Arena Pernambuco

It was painful, but in the end Santa Cruz gave a gift to the fans who filled the Arena Pernambuco this Saturday (3). With a record attendance, Santinha drew 1-1 with Maringá and mathematically guaranteed access to Série B in 2027, ten years after the last time it was in the second national division.

It was the second consecutive access for the Pernambuco team, which in 2025 was runner-up in Series D (Barra, from Santa Catarina, won the title on that occasion). Cobra Coral now has 11 points in group B of Series C, which is in the second and decisive phase.

As Maringá has eight points and Floresta, which drew with the already eliminated Botafogo-PB, has five, Santa Cruz already has a guaranteed place in the next Series B. The team, in fact, was the first to confirm access to the third division in 2026.

After winning the first three matches within the group and being one step away from confirming promotion, Santa Cruz drew with Floresta last weekend, postponing their dream. This Saturday, 45,500 people attended the stadium, equaling the Arena Pernambuco attendance record, recorded twice, once in the D final last year.

With just 20 seconds, the team turned the party atmosphere into agony. Eurico made a mistake with the ball, which was stolen by the visiting team. Adeilson Maranhão shot into the left corner of goalkeeper Thiago Coelho and opened the scoring.

The adverse score made it even more important to follow the result of the other game in the group, between Floresta and Botafogo. Relief came in the second half. At five minutes, Everaldo crossed and Pedro Favela equalized with a header.

Even with Floresta's partial victory over the team from Paraíba, Santa Cruz was confirming access. And the euphoria was complete when Botafogo tied the match in the final stretch. Total party at Arena Pernambuco.

Apparently, the team will meet the two great local rivals in next year's Series B. At this moment, with seven rounds to go, Sport occupies 9th place and Náutico 13th in the current season of Brazil's second division.