In a dramatic turn of events, Santos FC was eliminated from the Paulista Championship following a last-minute goal conceded against Novorizontino, leading to a 2-1 defeat. The game took place on Sunday, with Novorizontino advancing to the semifinals as they posted an impressive campaign throughout the tournament. Santos struggled throughout the match, failing to establish control and faced difficulties in their passing, particularly in the opening stages of the game.

The first half saw a barely engaging start, with the first real threat from Santos occurring only in the 43rd minute. Some intricate play almost led to a goal but was thwarted as Novorizontino's defense managed to keep the attackers at bay. Following a series of mistakes by the Santos side, Novorizontino took the lead after capitalizing on a defensive error. Tavinho's quick thinking allowed him to recover the ball and assist Romulo, who pushed the ball over the line, marking the first goal of the match.

In the second half, Santos appeared more aggressive, creating several chances and attempting to equalize the score. However, the resulting attacks led to opportunities for Novorizontino to counter as well, culminating in their eventual sealing goal. The performance of the Santos team raised questions about their form and strategy as they exit the tournament earlier than anticipated, leaving their fans disappointed.