Estrela do Norte kept their perfect run going, beating Sport Brasil 2:0 in the Capixaba B regular season on 2 August. The hosts moved further clear at the top of the table, while the visitors remain rooted in the lower half.
By then, the gap between first and eighth had widened to thirteen points, a margin that feels comfortable for the leaders. Sport Brasil have not won since their mid-July victory over Tupy, and this result extends that lean spell to five games without a win.
And here's the thing — Estrela do Norte's form has been relentless of late. They came from the dead against Tupi with a 1:0 win, then dismantled Pinheiros 5:0 before holding Riv to a 2:0 clean sheet. The visitors, meanwhile, have seen their confidence erode after that mid-July triumph.
To be fair, Sport Brasil did manage a 5:1 victory over Tupy back on 21 July, but the pattern since has been one of collapse. They lost to Riv, then suffered heavy defeats to Porto Velho and Rio Branco. The hosts have not dropped points at home all season, which makes this 2:0 victory feel like a statement rather than a formality.
The result leaves Estrela do Norte with 22 points after eight games, still undefeated, while Sport Brasil sit on 9 points with five losses. The table tells you everything — one side is building momentum, the other is digging in.