With a missed penalty, Londrina is eliminated by Operário in the Copa do Brasil

Worker got the better of the London. This time, Fantasma won 1-0 this Tuesday (17), at Estádio do Café, in Londrina, and advanced to the fifth phase of the Brazil Cup 2026. The only goal came from striker Hildeberto, with a beautiful shot from outside the area. The duel also had cruelty, with the attacker Bruno Santosfrom Tubarão, wasting a penalty on the last play.

The teams, it is worth remembering, decided this year’s Paraná Championship, at the beginning of the month, and Operário became champion after a great recovery within the State Championship. Fantasma now awaits their opponent in the next phase, who will be drawn. In the fifth phase, in addition to the 12 classified, the 20 clubs from Series A will enter the knockout stages. The games will be one-way (week of April 22nd) and return (week of May 13th).

Playing at home, Londrina sought more attack and controlled possession of the ball. However, they were unable to break through the opposing defense in the first few minutes. Operário, in turn, took advantage of a steal in midfield and opened the scoring with the first shot.

At 15 minutes, Hildeberto was called in at the edge of the area, cleared the marker and hit goalkeeper Maurício Kozlinski with no chance. The great goal made Tubarão lose momentum, while Fantasma played calmly.

In the second half, Londrina continued trying, but without much organization. The good plays ended up in shots out or over the defense. Tubarão also tightened its grip on set pieces. Operário even had chances to expand, but they also wasted them.

But the script for the Paraná classic still reserved emotion in the additions. In the last play, the home team had a penalty in their favor. Bruno Santos went for the penalty, but goalkeeper Vágner, who had already been a hero in the penalties in the Paranaense final, also saved Operário and saved the attacker’s shot, without a rebound.

With three phases played and the next phase guaranteed, Fantasma totaled more than R$6.5 million in prize money in the knockout stages: R$1.38 million for the 2nd phase, R$1.53 million for the 3rd phase, R$1.68 million for the 4th phase and now R$2 million with classification to the 5th phase.

Before the next phase of the Copa do Brasil, Operário will return to the field for the Copa Sul-Sudeste and Série B, both starting this March. The next game will be against Atlético-GO on Saturday (21), at 6:15 pm, at Germano Krüger, for the debut in the Second League. Londrina, in turn, is also preparing for Série B and faces Novorizontino on Sunday (22), at 8pm, away from home.