EC São Bernardo — São José Esporte Clube: 2:3, Copa Paulista

São Bernardo host São José in the fifth round of Group Stage in the Copa Paulista, and the visitors took all three points with a 2:3 victory. The result adds weight to São José's position at the top of the group. By then the visitors had shown they could compete away from home.

The opening exchanges came fast. Mauricio gave São Bernardo the lead in the twelfth minute, only for Fernando to respond within a minute. São Bernardo pushed again and Nunes restored their advantage before half-time. Then Souza equalised in the thirty-fourth minute, and the hosts had to find another gear.

And here's the thing about matches like this. São Bernardo controlled possession but struggled to convert their chances. Brendo scored the winner in the eighty-fourth minute, a moment that shifted everything. The hosts had tired legs and couldn't find a response.

The stats tell one story, the final score another. São Bernardo enjoyed 62 per cent possession and made 133 attacks, yet only registered four shots on target. São José managed just 38 per cent possession and three shots on target, but took their opportunities. To be fair, the visitors were clinical when it mattered.

This result follows São José's five-game unbeaten run, which includes wins over São Bernardo and Santos. The visitors picked up two bookings in the closing stages, showing the intensity of the contest. São Bernardo's defeat breaks their momentum after back-to-back victories.