Maringá are 2026 Série C champions

Maringá won the 2026 Série C title Credit: Rafael Ribeiro/CBF

Maringá defeated Ferroviária 2–1 this Saturday (24) to win the 2026 Brasileirão Série C at Arena Fonte Luminosa in Araraquara, São Paulo. Playing away from home, the team scored through Lucas Bonifácio and Ronald Camarão to become champions of the competition's 36th edition.

Despite the presence of 11,500 home fans, the Paraná side were not intimidated by the pressure, especially early in the match. They built their lead within ten minutes and secured the victory.

The São Paulo side went on the attack, needing a win after a 1–1 draw in the first leg. They created chances to break through Dogão's defense but were thwarted by a strong performance from Maringá goalkeeper Guilherme Neto. Denílson pulled one back late in the second half, but they could not find an equalizer to take the final to penalties.

The 2026 Série C championship was Maringá's first national title in their 16-year history.

Maringá fans celebrated at Arena Fonte Luminosa Credit: Rafael Ribeiro/CBF

Maringá opened the scoring just three minutes in. The goal came after Caíque Calito broke away at pace and had his shot deflected for a corner. Negueba took the corner, Ronald headed it on, and Lucas Bonifácio fired into the net.

Caíque Calito again threatened the opposition defense and passed to Adeílson, who was unmarked in the box and facing goal but shot over the bar. It was a huge chance wasted by the Paraná side.

That miss could have proved even more painful for Maringá when Ferroviária were awarded a penalty for a foul on Ricardinho. The decision, however, was overturned after a VAR review.

After nearly seeing the hosts equalize, Dogão extended their lead. Ronald Camarão, who scored in the first leg, made the difference once again. He met Jhow's cross in the six-yard box and simply had to tap it into the net.

Lucas Bonifácio opened the scoring for Maringá in the second leg of the Série C final Credit: Rafael Ribeiro/CBF

Trailing 2–0, Ferroviária pushed forward and left gaps at the back. In the 21st minute, Zé Vitor surged forward from midfield but was dispossessed by Caíque Calito. Calito launched a counterattack and played the ball into the box. Adeílson cleverly dummied it, allowing the ball to reach Lucas Bonifácio, who hit the post.

Unhappy with his team's performance, Ferroviária coach Rogério Corrêa made two changes before the half-hour mark. Ricardinho and Carlão came off for Arthur Schilling and Guilherme Ferreira, respectively.

The changes paid off. In the 32nd minute, Maringá's Ronald nearly scored an own goal while trying to clear a cross. Two minutes later, Vitor Barreto was in the six-yard box, ready to pull one back, when Thiago Rosa stepped in to clear. In the 40th minute, Vitor Barreto exchanged passes with Juninho before shooting straight at goalkeeper Guilherme Neto.

Maringá and Ferroviária contested the 2026 Série C title Credit: Rafael Ribeiro/CBF

In stoppage time, Locomotiva continued to search for a goal. Albano's header forced a good save from Guilherme Neto, who also kept out a header from Guilherme Ferreira. Despite their repeated chances, the hosts went into halftime trailing 2–0, with chants of "Let's turn it around, AFE!" ringing out.

Coach Ivan Campanari's halftime talk with the Maringá players brought a change in approach after the team had come under pressure late in the first half. Two minutes after the restart, Adeílson Maranhão fired over from inside the six-yard box, nearly scoring Ferroviária's third goal. In the 12th minute, Edison Negueba found space to shoot from outside the box and forced a fine save from Dênis Junior.

After twenty minutes of alternating possession with no major scoring chances, Ferroviária brought the final back to life. Denilson received a pass from Fau and pulled one back for the hosts with a fine strike. The Locomotiva fans responded with chants of "I believe."

In stoppage time, Ferroviária threatened Maringá's defense with free kicks near the box, taken by Lucas Rodrigues and Albano, and dangerous crosses. Adeílson and Gabriel Souza showed that the Paraná side would not surrender the title. Full time: Ferroviária 1–2 Maringá.

Congratulations, Maringá, 2026 Série C champions!