Home / Sports / Underdogs Triumph: Eight Teams Remain in Fierce 2026 Third Division Battle
Underdogs Triumph: Eight Teams Remain in Fierce 2026 Third Division Battle
24 Aug
Summary
- Five teams, including ASA and Cianorte, qualified last week
- América de Natal, Maranhão, and Santa Cruz advanced this Sunday
- Goalkeeper Rokenedy made crucial saves to help Santa Cruz qualify
The race for the four spots in the 2026 Third Division is intensifying, with only eight teams left in the competition. Last week, five teams - ASA, Goiatuba, Inter de Limeira, Cianorte, and Barra - secured their places in the next round. This Sunday, three more teams joined them: América de Natal, Maranhão, and Santa Cruz.
América de Natal drew 0-0 with Imperatriz after winning the first leg 1-0, while Maranhão held on to a 2-1 aggregate victory over Central. The most dramatic match was between Altos and Santa Cruz, which ended 3-1 to the latter. The hero of the day was Santa Cruz's goalkeeper, Rokenedy, who made several crucial saves to help his team qualify.
With four teams from the Northeast, two from the South, one from the Southeast, and one from the Midwest still in the running, the competition is set to be fierce in the upcoming quarterfinal stage. The teams will be facing off based on the points they have accumulated since the group stage, making for an exciting conclusion to the 2026 Third Division qualifiers.
