Palmeiras defeated Novorizontino 1-0 in the first leg of the 2026 Campeonato Paulista final in Barueri. Flaco López scored the only goal, giving the team the advantage of a draw in the return match. Novorizontino needs a win by two goals to claim its first title.
In the first leg of the 2026 Campeonato Paulista final, played on Wednesday, March 4, at Arena Barueri, Palmeiras beat Novorizontino 1-0. The lone goal came from Flaco López in the 34th minute of the first half, off a loose ball in the box. The match started with Palmeiras dominating, but Novorizontino responded late in the half when Robson took a safe penalty down the middle, which goalkeeper Carlos Miguel easily saved.
The second half was more balanced. Novorizontino pushed forward, creating opportunities from built plays and set pieces, while Palmeiras, rotating players under Abel Ferreira, held firm. A header by Gustavo Gómez was disallowed for offside. The slim scoreline reflects a match decided by fine margins.
Novorizontino enters the final with the best record in the knockout stage, after ousting Santos in the quarters and Corinthians in the semis. At Estádio Jorge Ismael de Biasi, known as Jorjão in Novo Horizonte, the interior side remains unbeaten and has conceded just two goals at home in the tournament. In the group stage, Novorizontino had thrashed Palmeiras 4-0, the worst loss of the Abel Ferreira era.
The return leg is set for Sunday, March 8, at 8:30 p.m., at Jorjão. Palmeiras, runners-up in 2025 and in their seventh straight final, aims for a 27th state title and a fifth in the last seven editions. Under Abel Ferreira in his 16th final with the club, the team holds a perfect record in four prior knockout ties against Novorizontino.
