São Paulo's Fourth Consecutive Victory Over Fluminense

SOCCER | SPORTS | 7/27/2025 | 4 min read

A Memorable Game in the Brazilian Championship

In the latest clash between São Paulo and Fluminense, held at Morumbi Stadium, the São Paulo Tricolor demonstrated a masterful performance, relying on exemplary collective play. Under the guidance of coach Hernán Crespo, the team stood out in various aspects, with Luciano being the undisputed protagonist of the encounter. This game not only reaffirmed São Paulo's competitiveness but also raised the fans' expectations for the rest of the championship.

When Morumbi Becomes the Stage for a Rout: São Paulo 3 x 1 Fluminense

"Man, what an afternoon that was at Morumbi!" – that was more or less what echoed through any São Paulo fan's head who witnessed the team's performance this Sunday. And it started kind of slow, you know...

The Sunday sun promised another one of those choppy games, you know how it is? But that's soccer for you, my friend – when you least expect it, it surprises you. And São Paulo made sure to show why playing at home, with 40,000 voices pushing you forward, still makes a difference in this world of algorithms and statistics.

The First Half That Defined Everything

Right at 8 minutes, the first goal came. It wasn't one of those poster-worthy screamers, no – it was one of those goals that come out through "heart and grit," as my grandfather who supported Vasco used to say (God rest his soul). The important thing is it went in, and when it goes in early, the game takes on a completely different face.

I confess I got a bit worried when Fluminense reached the equalizer at 30 minutes of the second half. "Here comes the Rio team doing their thing," I thought. But soccer is sometimes generous to those who work properly, and São Paulo didn't let up.

The second goal, at 13 minutes of the second half, was that type of play that makes you scream from the couch (even if you're at the stadium). And when the third came out at 45, already in stoppage time, it was almost a confirmation: "Yeah, kids, today is really our day."

Between Penalties and Controversies: The Game's Spice

It wouldn't be a Brazilian classic without a dose of controversy, right? At 37 minutes of the first half came that typical situation: penalty called, everyone complaining, VAR being VAR. But let's be honest – when you're winning at home and the penalty is in your favor, the opposing team's complaints sound kind of like music to your ears.

What caught my attention most was Fluminense's posture. A team with tradition, that knows how to play, but that arrived at Morumbi somewhat "awkward." Not that they played badly – far from it. But soccer is also about moments, and the moments were clearly São Paulo's this afternoon.

(And what a performance by Fábio, huh? Experienced goalkeeper doing what he knows: defending what can be defended and lamenting what's hopeless.)

Soccer's Simple Mathematics

At the end of the day, soccer is still about scoring more goals than your opponent. And as much as Fluminense tried, as much as they created their chances, São Paulo was more effective where it matters: in the box.

Three goals at home, with the crowd pushing, team playing with freedom... These are the afternoons that make you remember why it's still worth going to the stadium on a Sunday afternoon in São Paulo. Even if it's to watch your team take a beating, as was the case for the Rio Tricolors who made the trip.

Actually, thinking about it, maybe that was exactly what Fluminense was missing: that nice pressure from the crowd breathing down their necks. Playing away in the Brasileirão is no joke, especially when the home team is "plugged in."

The Bitter Taste of Defeat (and the Sweet Taste of Victory)

For those who support Flu, there was that bitter aftertaste of "it could have been different." An early goal in the second half, more intense pressure, who knows... But soccer isn't played in "what if," right? It's played in "what was," in "what happened," in "what's in the history books."

For the São Paulo side, the feeling is of duty fulfilled at home. Three important points, goals scored, happy fans leaving the stadium. That's how you build a solid campaign in the Brasileirão: winning the games you need to win, especially the home ones.

And what a difference it makes to play at Morumbi with full stands! Forty thousand people singing, vibrating with every play, is pure fuel for any player. Fluminense felt this on their skin – literally.

When Soccer Speaks Louder

At the end of the day, what remains is a Sunday afternoon well spent for those wearing the São Paulo Tricolor jersey. São Paulo did what they had to do: played at home, respected their opponent, but didn't give up on victory.

For Fluminense, there's the lesson that in Brazilian soccer, especially away from home, you need to be 100% focused from the first to the last minute. A lapse here, another there, and suddenly you're heading back to Rio empty-handed.

But tell me: isn't this exactly the type of afternoon that makes soccer the national passion it is? Emotion, goals, controversy, joy for some, sadness for others... It's pure Brazil playing ball on a sunny Sunday.

Match Stats

SÃO PAULO 3 x 1 FLUMINENSE

São Paulo:

• Initial Tactical Formation: 4-3-3

• Ball Possession: 58%

• Shots: 14 (6 on goal)

• Corner Kicks: 7

• Fouls: 12

• Cards: 2 yellow

• Passes: 487 total (412 completed/85% accuracy)

Fluminense:

• Initial Tactical Formation: 4-2-3-1

• Ball Possession: 42%

• Shots: 9 (3 on goal)

• Corner Kicks: 4

• Fouls: 15

• Cards: 3 yellow

• Passes: 368 total (301 completed/82% accuracy)

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