BRAGANÇA PAULISTA, Brazil – São Paulo continued its impressive start to the 2026 Brazilian Série A season with a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Red Bull Bragantino on Sunday. The result, secured in Roger Machado’s second match as head coach, keeps São Paulo at the top of the league table with 16 points, three clear of both Palmeiras and Fluminense.
The match at Estádio Municipal Cicero de Souza Marques saw Bragantino take the lead through José Herrera in the 36th minute. However, São Paulo responded strongly after halftime, with Sabino leveling the score in the 53rd minute and Jonathan Calleri completing the turnaround with a goal in the 68th minute.
Although Bragantino started brightly, prioritizing marking São Paulo’s midfield and utilizing the speed of their wingers, they struggled to convert possession into clear-cut chances. São Paulo, initially, found it tricky to penetrate Bragantino’s defense, managing only one shot on goal before the break – a 29th-minute attempt by Lucas Ramon that forced a save from the Bragantino goalkeeper.
The opening goal arrived courtesy of a Bragantino corner. A series of defensive lapses allowed Herrera to strike from outside the box, giving his side the advantage. However, São Paulo demonstrated resilience, refusing to let the setback derail their campaign.
The second half saw a revitalized São Paulo side. The equalizer came in the 53rd minute when Danielzinho delivered a free kick into the box, finding Sabino, who volleyed the ball past the goalkeeper. The goal injected further momentum into São Paulo’s attack.
Just past the hour mark, in the 68th minute, Lucas Ramon’s cross from the left wing found Calleri, who capitalized on a defensive error to tap the ball into an empty net. Calleri, in good form this season, secured the three points for São Paulo.
The statistics reflected a closely contested match. Bragantino held a slight edge in possession with 49.8% to São Paulo’s 50.2%. Both teams recorded three shots on goal, while Bragantino had 13 shot attempts compared to São Paulo’s four. Bragantino also earned six corner kicks to São Paulo’s four. Cleiton made one save for Bragantino, while the São Paulo goalkeeper made two.
São Paulo’s victory extends their undefeated streak to six matches, solidifying their position as early frontrunners in the Brasileirão. The team’s ability to respond to adversity and secure a win on the road demonstrates their growing confidence and tactical flexibility under Machado.
The win is particularly significant given the competitive nature of the Brazilian Série A. With several teams vying for the top spot, every point is crucial. São Paulo’s three-point lead provides a comfortable cushion, but the season is still young, and maintaining this advantage will require consistent performance.
São Paulo will now turn their attention to their upcoming match against Atlético-MG on Wednesday at 8 p.m. Brasília time (23:00 UTC). The match will be played at Atlético-MG’s arena in Belo Horizonte. [1]
Fans eager to follow the Brasileirão standings can find the latest information on various sports websites. The league table currently shows São Paulo leading with 16 points, followed by Palmeiras and Fluminense with 13 points each. Bahia sits in fourth with 11 points, and Flamengo is fifth with 10 points. [1]
The question remains: who *can* stop the undefeated São Paulo? For now, the team appears to be in formidable form, and their ability to overcome challenges suggests they will be a force to be reckoned with throughout the 2026 season.
Key Takeaways:
- São Paulo remains undefeated after six matches in the 2026 Brazilian Série A.
- Jonathan Calleri scored the winning goal for São Paulo, continuing his strong form.
- Roger Machado secured his second win as São Paulo head coach.
- São Paulo maintains a three-point lead over Palmeiras and Fluminense at the top of the table.
São Paulo’s next challenge comes against Atlético-MG on Wednesday. Fans will be watching closely to spot if the team can maintain its winning momentum and further solidify its position at the top of the Brasileirão.
