Sapoio Corrêa defeated Nova Iguaçu 2:1 in the Rio Cup semi-finals on 2 September 2026, booking their place in the final after a hard-fought evening in Rio. The hosts took the lead through Leonardo Muchacho in the 40th minute, but the match remained finely balanced until the closing stages.
Nova Iguaçu had the better of the early exchanges, winning the first week's encounter 2:0, but Sapoio Corrêa responded with greater intensity here. Muchacho's goal came after sustained pressure, and the hosts held their nerve when the away side pushed back. The game grew tense as both sides traded yellow cards — eight in total — with a red card for Xandinho in the 67th minute tilting the momentum.
Two red cards changed the complexion of the contest. Xandinho was sent off after 67 minutes, and another player joined him at the 90+2 minute mark, leaving both teams with ten men. The visitors dug in despite the numerical disadvantage, but Sapoio Corrêa punished them from a corner in the 90+9th minute to seal the victory.
The hosts dominated possession at 62 percent and registered 104 attacks compared to 77 for the away side. Sapoio Corrêa also outshot Nova Iguaçu 8 to 4 on target, yet both sides struggled to convert their dominance into clear-cut chances. The draw brought them together early in the game, but the semi-final proved far more decisive.
The result ends a run of mixed form for the hosts, who had drawn or lost their last three matches before this victory. Nova Iguaçu's defeat comes after five games without a loss, and the away end never stopped pressing for an equaliser until the final whistle. Both teams now turn their attention to the final, where the outcome will determine their season.
