Introduction – Palmeiras x São Paulo and the Classic that Made History
The Palmeiras vs. São Paulo duel for the 27th round of the 2025 Brazilian Championship was more than just a classic: it was a spectacle of emotion, intensity, and twists and turns.
With Morumbis packed and more than 61 thousand fans, São Paulo opened up a 2-0 lead, but Palmeiras, with the trademark of the Abel Ferreira era, reacted heroically and won 3-2, taking the lead in the Brasileirão.
This match entered the recent history of Brazilian football not only for its score, but also for its symbolism. The comeback represented Verdão’s fighting spirit and exposed the Tricolor’s emotional fragility, as it saw a victory that seemed certain slip away.
Pre-match scenario – Palmeiras vs. São Paulo and the pressure before the classic
The Palmeiras-São Paulo derby came at a crucial moment in the competition.
Palmeiras was chasing the lead and was under pressure due to draws, while São Paulo was struggling to establish itself in the top six.
During the week, the tensions were heated: officials exchanged provocations, and Abel Ferreira called for total focus for “the most important game of the championship.”
São Paulo focused on attacking intensity, with Luciano and Calleri leading the attack, while Palmeiras maintained their three-man defense, prioritizing quick transitions.
The Tricolor fans did their part, with record ticket sales — more than R$5 million at the box office — reinforcing the atmosphere of the decision at Morumbis.
Even before the ball rolled, the atmosphere already indicated that Palmeiras x São Paulo would be one of the biggest games of the year, with ingredients of rivalry, strategy and emotion.
First Half of Palmeiras vs. São Paulo – Tricolor Dominance and Advantage on the Scoreboard
São Paulo started with everything.
In the 14th minute, Luciano opened the scoring after a beautiful pass from Rodrigo Nestor, sending the Morumbis stadium into a frenzy. Palmeiras tried to regroup, but struggled to escape the pressure.
In the 33rd minute, Tapia took advantage of Rafinha’s cross and extended the lead: 2-0 São Paulo.
The dominance was complete.
In the final minutes of the first half, São Paulo created two good chances, but were stopped by Weverton.
The first half ended with boos from the Palmeiras fans and warm applause from the Tricolor fans. It seemed like the end of the line—but football, as always, had surprises in store.
Second Half of Palmeiras vs. São Paulo – The Epic Comeback of Verdão
The second half was a movie. Abel Ferreira made bold changes: he brought on Endrick and Flaco López and moved the lines forward. Palmeiras came back with a completely different approach, pressing high and accelerating the plays.
In the 24th minute, Vitor Roque pulled one back with a beautiful cross-shot after a Dudu pass.
In the 35th minute, Flaco López took a long-range shot that deflected in to tie the game.
Morumbis fell silent. Palmeiras was on the rise, and São Paulo was losing its balance.
In the 43rd minute, the epic comeback: Ramón Sosa headed in a Mayke cross and turned the game around.
The Verdão bench erupted. The Tricolor fans fell into absolute silence.
The final whistle signaled one of the most spectacular comebacks of the season: Palmeiras 3-2 São Paulo.
Tactical Analysis – Palmeiras vs. São Paulo Shows the Brilliance of Abel Ferreira
From a tactical perspective, the Palmeiras vs. São Paulo classic was a clash of styles.
While Tricolor dominated with possession and amplitude in the first half, Verdão won with intelligence, compactness and efficiency in changing rhythm.
Abel Ferreira masterfully adjusted the team, transforming a rigid 3-5-2 into a dynamic 4-3-3.
The introduction of Flaco and Sosa provided depth, and the midfield began to control the tempo.
São Paulo, lacking answers, lost intensity and dropped back too much—a fatal mistake against a rarely forgiving opponent.
In addition to tactics, the emotional factor weighed heavily: Palmeiras believed until the end, while São Paulo collapsed mentally after conceding the first goal.
Complete Statistics of Palmeiras vs São Paulo – Brasileirão 2025
| Statistic | São Paulo | Palm trees |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 2 | 3 |
| Finalizations | 15 | 12 |
| Correct finishes | 7 | 6 |
| Ball possession (%) | 54% | 46% |
| Corners | 6 | 5 |
| Successful passes (%) | 89% | 85% |
| Fouls committed | 12 | 14 |
| Yellow cards | 3 | 2 |
| Turnarounds in the season | 0 | 7 |
| Goalkeeper saves | 3 | 5 |
| Expected goals (xG) | 1.8 | 2.3 |
São Paulo was superior in possession and volume, but Palmeiras was more efficient, with a high conversion rate and better use of clear chances.
Individual Highlights from Palmeiras vs. São Paulo
- Ramón Sosa: scored the winning goal and was the best on the field.
- Flaco López: changed the game with energy and precision.
- Vitor Roque: paved the way for reaction with determination and opportunism.
- Luciano: Tricolor standout, despite the defeat.
- Murilo: solid in defense, decisive in the end.
Each of these names was crucial to the plot of a game that will remain etched in the fans’ memories for a long time.
Impact of the Result of Palmeiras vs. São Paulo on the Brazilian Championship Table
With the victory, Palmeiras reached 55 points and took the lead, surpassing Flamengo in terms of number of wins.
São Paulo, meanwhile, stagnated at 38 points, dropping to ninth place and further away from the top six.
Beyond the points, the result strengthens Verdão’s mental health, demonstrating once again why they’re the most competitive team in the country.
On the Tricolor side, there’s concern about the team’s lack of consistency and emotional exhaustion in big games.
Conclusion – Palmeiras x São Paulo and the Meaning of the Turnaround
The Palmeiras-São Paulo derby was a reminder of the power of football: nothing is decided until the final whistle.
Palmeiras demonstrated maturity, collective strength, and resilience, consolidating its lead and reaffirming its competitive edge under Abel Ferreira.
São Paulo, despite a strong start, needs to learn to maintain emotional and tactical control in decisive moments.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about Palmeiras vs. São Paulo 2025
Who won the Palmeiras vs. São Paulo derby?
Palmeiras defeated São Paulo 3-2 in a comeback match at Morumbis.
Who scored the goals in Palmeiras vs. São Paulo?
Luciano and Tapia scored for São Paulo; Vitor Roque, Flaco López, and Ramón Sosa scored for Palmeiras.
What was the crowd at Morumbis?
Over 61,000 fans, one of the largest crowds of the season.
What was the standings like after the game?
Palmeiras took the lead with 55 points; São Paulo had 38.
Were there any controversial refereeing issues?
Yes, São Paulo complained about an alleged offside call on the winning goal and a penalty not awarded on Calleri.
What’s Palmeiras’ next game?
Verdão faces Juventude at home, at Allianz Parque.
And what about São Paulo’s next match?
The Tricolor faces Grêmio away from home, looking to bounce back.
