Palmeiras scores in stoppage time and wins the São Paulo Cup twice

For those who couldn’t win the São Paulo Cup in the past, Palmeiras got used to lifting the trophy. The team defeated América-MG by 2 to 1 this Wednesday (25), in Canindé, to win its second title of the competition. The first had been in 2022.

It was yet another confirmation of the work of the youth teams of Palestra Itália, who have won almost everything in recent seasons. In the last year, for example, he won the Copa do Brasil under-17 and the Brazilian under-20.

The question becomes, given the lack of definition of reinforcements for the professional team. what will be the future of these boys.

Palmeiras started the game under tension caused by the relationship between the club’s main fans and president Leila Pereira. After years of good relationship, time in which the leader’s company sponsored the organized samba school, this year criticisms emerged. The biggest demand is related to the lack of hired reinforcements.

Leila was the target of protests from some of these fans. She was at the stadium and welcomed the players from the alviverde team upon their arrival in Canindé.

Despite Palmeiras’ second consecutive Copa São Paulo final, the coach of the main squad, Abel Ferreira, wants to hire players who are ready to play. That is to say: more experienced and established names in the market.

This could restrict opportunities for striker Ruan Ribeiro. Top scorer in the competition, he opened the scoring in the 18th minute, completing a cross from Vitinho. It was the 9th scored by him in this year’s tournament.

The striker surpassed Endrick, the star of last year’s win in Palmeiras (eight). Ribeiro, in 2023, just didn’t score against Rio Preto, in the group stage, and in the semifinal against Goiás.

The América-MG team has three names in the under-20 team that not only passed through Palestra Itália but still have part of the rights attached to the club from São Paulo: defender Jonatan, midfielder Breno and striker Luan Campos, the main highlight of the miners.

But who tied the game was Renato Marques in penalty kick that caused controversy. Goalkeeper Aranha defended the kick, but referee Fabiano Monteiro dos Santos did not authorize it and ordered it back. In the second attempt, the striker tied the final.

América dominated the beginning of the second half and had a goal disallowed for offside, but Palmeiras reacted from the second half onwards and could have taken the lead once again. Goalkeeper Cássio did not allow it.

As time went on, the anticipation of penalties grew stronger. The Canindé fans themselves began to shout the name of the goalkeeper Aranha in the added time, believing that the decision would happen through kicks from the penalty mark. But in the 47th minute, the ball fell to Patrick inside the small area and he concluded to give Palmeiras the second Cup title.

Now the fight for these players will be to show Abel Ferreira that they can be used in the professional squad.