São Paulo Lose First Match as Palmeiras Go Top

The Brasileirão 2026 has a new leader. Palmeiras overtook São Paulo at the top of the table on Wednesday night after the Tricolor’s first defeat of the season — a 1-0 loss to Atlético-MG in Belo Horizonte — coincided with Palmeiras beating Botafogo 2-1 at the Allianz Parque.

The Rio Times, the Latin American financial news outlet, covers the seventh round of action that reshuffled the top of Brazil’s premier football competition just days before the rivals meet in Saturday’s Choque-Rei derby at the MorumBIS.

São Paulo Stumble in Brasileirão 2026

Roger Machado’s side were uncharacteristically flat at the Arena MRV. Atlético-MG created the better chances throughout, with goalkeeper Rafael forced into multiple saves from Hulk set pieces and a Tomás Perez long-range effort. São Paulo’s only real threat before the break came from a Calleri shot that required a sharp stop from Everson.

The decisive moment arrived in the 64th minute. Bernard, a second-half substitute, delivered a cross that Alan Franco flicked on, and defender Iván Román was left unmarked to push the ball into an empty net from inside the six-yard box. It was precisely the kind of set-piece lapse São Paulo had avoided all season.

The injury to Lucas Moura compounded the frustration. Brought off the bench to change the game, the number 7 lasted just 12 minutes before leaving the pitch and heading directly to hospital with a suspected rib fracture. His availability for the Choque-Rei on Saturday now looks highly unlikely.

Roger Machado had also deliberately managed Luciano’s minutes, bringing him on mid-match rather than starting him — the forward was on two yellow cards and one booking away from a suspension that would have ruled him out of the derby. The tactical caution made sense for Saturday but left São Paulo short of attacking options when they needed them most.

Palmeiras Seize the Moment

At the Allianz Parque, Palmeiras needed no invitation. Allan opened the scoring and Colombian signing Jhon Arias netted his first goal for the club in a 2-1 victory over a Botafogo side that played most of the match with ten men after Medina’s first-half expulsion. Danilo pulled one back for the visitors, but it was never enough.

Abel Ferreira’s squad have now won 25 consecutive home matches and remain unbeaten at the Allianz since the new synthetic pitch was installed. Both Palmeiras and São Paulo sit on 16 points from seven rounds, but Palmeiras lead on goal difference — the margin that will give Saturday’s derby at the MorumBIS an edge it scarcely needed.

Around the League

Wednesday’s other results kept the table volatile. Vasco staged a dramatic 3-2 comeback against Fluminense at the Maracanã after trailing 2-0. Bahia beat Red Bull Bragantino 2-0 to stay in the top four.

Athletico-PR defeated bottom club Cruzeiro 2-1, Coritiba surprised Mirassol 1-0 away, and Santos fell 2-1 to Internacional at Vila Belmiro despite a Neymar equalizer — Carbonero’s stoppage-time winner silencing the crowd. The round concludes Thursday with Flamengo hosting Remo and Grêmio facing Vitória.

All eyes now turn to Saturday’s Choque-Rei. Palmeiras arrive as leaders with momentum and a fortress home record, while São Paulo come wounded, without Lucas Moura, and with something to prove. In the tightest title race in years, the derby that normally needs no extra stakes just got the biggest injection of tension possible.

This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error