Maranhão, Barra, and Inter de Limeira had already secured their respective promotions to the Série C for next year.
Only the last semifinalist of Série D-2025 remained to be decided.
It was up to Santa Cruz to dispatch América de Natal, playing at the Casa de Apostas Arena das Dunas on the night of this Sunday (7).
After winning at Arena Pernambuco by 1 x 0, Santinha sought a 1 x 1 draw already in the final stretch of the duel in Natal in front of 29,807 attendees.
And they are back to the Third Division. They hadn’t competed in the tournament since 2021 and didn’t even have a national division in 2024.
The last season consisted of only 13 games, as they only played in the Pernambucano and the first elimination phase of the Copa do Nordeste.
Meanwhile, Dragão will endure another edition in Série D – the third in a row. And with the company of their rival ABC, who were relegated this year.
The semifinals will feature Inter de Limeira 🆚 Barra and Santa Cruz 🆚 Maranhão.
América had control of the actions in the first half.
And even a penalty was awarded. Which was annulled after a VAR review.
The review indicated that the ball hit Balotelli’s belly before touching his arm.
The deserved American goal came two minutes into the second half.
Alexandre Aruá received from Souza, had space, and beat Rokenedy.
Rokenedy, who was preventing the worst for the Pernambuco team.
Dragão continued with more game volume.
But without managing to score the goal that would avoid a penalty shootout.
Then Santa Cruz managed to be effective in the air.
A free-kick taken by Willian Júnior and a goal by Balotelli (36′).
The pressure in the final minutes was from the hosts.
Santa held on and then celebrated.
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