Floryesti and Santo Cruz drew 1:1 in the second stage of the Serie C on 26 September 2026. The hosts took an early lead before the visitors struck back late on. A red card and a cancelled VAR goal added tension to the final minutes.
Rafinha opened the scoring in the sixteenth minute, giving Floryesti the advantage. The visitors responded well, though they struggled to find a way through the home defence for much of the game. By then, it felt like this match was heading for a share of the points. To be fair, both sides had earned something from the encounter.
We had called for a draw before kick-off, and the result confirmed that assessment. Santo Cruz had shown they could take points away from Floryesti, but the home side held firm this time. The prediction came true, and here's the thing — it shouldn't have been a surprise.
Renato equalised for Santo Cruz in the eighty-sixth minute, a goal that gave the visitors hope of a winner. The match turned sour soon after, with a red card in the ninety-first minute and a VAR goal cancelled for Joao Victor in the ninety-second. The incident went to review, and the goal was ruled out, leaving the scoreline unchanged.
Floryesti had 38 per cent of possession but managed six shots on target, while Santo Cruz controlled 62 per cent with only three on target. The visitors launched 94 attacks compared to 71 from the hosts, yet the statistics tell a story of dominance without penetration. Many shots with one goal means chances went begging.
Floryesti remain fifth with thirty points, while Santo Cruz sit eighth on twenty-nine. The gap between them has barely moved, and this result keeps both sides in the hunt for a higher finish. The draw felt like the right outcome for two teams that had nothing to lose in this stage of the competition.
