Series B defines access and relegation

The last round of Series B of the 2024 Brazilian Championship, played this Sunday (24), defined the last three teams that will move up to Series A next year. Santos, Mirassol, Sport and Ceará are the new members of the Brazilian football elite. The round was marked by excitement, simultaneous games and decisive changes in the classification.

Santos had already secured access and the title in advance. With a consistent campaign, Peixe returned to Série A, but ended the championship with a defeat to Sport, on Ilha do Retiro. The São Paulo team, which also faced turbulence such as the dismissal of coach Fábio Carille, finished as champions, with 68 points.

Mirassol makes history and Sport celebrates return

The big news about access is Mirassol. The São Paulo team beat Chapecoense 1-0 at the Campos Maia Stadium, with a goal from Iury Castilho, and finished runner-up, scoring 67 points. This will be the first year of the auriverde team in Série A.

_{Sport returns to Série A of the Brazilian Championship after defeating Santos 2-1, on Ilha do Retiro (Photo: reproduction/ Instagram/ @sportrecife)}

Sport, led on the field by the inspired Lucas Lima, secured third place by beating Santos 2-1. The midfielder, a former player from the São Paulo club, scored both goals for Leão, who returns to the elite after three years in the Series B.

Ceará returns to the elite after combination of results

Ceará secured the last place after a goalless draw with Guarani at Brinco de Ouro, in Campinas. Vozão had a “helping hand” from Goiás, who beat Novorizontino 1-0, with a goal from Paulo Baya. Thus, the team from Ceará closed the competition in fourth place, with 64 points, the same score as Novorizontino, but with one more victory (19 against 18). Relegated in 2022, Ceará returns to Série A after two seasons.

Relegated to Series C

At the other end of the table, the fight against relegation was already defined before the final round. Four teams will play in Série C in 2025: Guarani, Ponte Preta, Ituano and Brusque.

Guarani, the 1978 Brazilian champion, finished in last place with just 33 points. To worsen Campinas' disappointment, arch-rival Ponte Preta also fell, placing 17th with 38 points, and will compete in the Third League after 35 years.

Ituano, which had already been relegated in the Campeonato Paulista, finished 18th with 37 points, while Brusque, second to last, ended the competition with 36 points. Both complete the relegated group.

Featured Photo: Ceará returns to the elite of Brazilian football after two seasons in Series B (Reproduction/ Instagram/ @cearasc)