The round where love won, technology whistled and the draw came in three flavors

Hey there, my football fans! Welcome to another edition of your favorite column, the only place where we talk about football, tickets, and tickets inspired by the muses. This weekend's Brasileirão round was so crazy that VAR requested a song on Fantástico. And the song was "Me, you, the referree and a headphone". While the big guys sweated on the field, the real star of the round was in a small air-conditioned room, reviewing the plays in slow motion and deciding the fate of millions of fans with the coolness of a surgeon.

It was technology that gave São Paulo the victory with a penalty that not even the referee's mother would have awarded, it was technology that painted Bragantino's fate against Galo red, and it was technology that turned the Corinthians game into a group therapy session with the referee. But while machines dictated the rules, an even more powerful force moved the pieces on the football board: love. And that's where we begin.

The Gossip Corner: Gabigol, Love and the Inexplicable Science of Football

Get your tissues ready, because Brazil's hottest soap opera has a happy ending. Gabriel Barbosa, aka Gabigol, and influencer Rafaella Santos, Ney's sister, have not only rekindled their romance but are now sharing a roof in the player's Belo Horizonte mansion. And their plans are bold: marriage and an heir on the way, as the striker wants to be a father before he turns 30.

Coincidence or fate? On the very weekend the man found peace in his heart, his team, Cruzeiro, traveled to Rio de Janeiro and delivered a resounding 2-0 victory over Botafogo at the Nilton Santos Stadium. Meanwhile, what was happening to our beloved hero's former club? Flamengo, brimming with million-dollar signings, stumbled badly in Ceará, conceding a draw that tasted like defeat.

The conclusion is obvious: the "Rafaella Factor" is the Brasileirão's new secret weapon. It seems Gabigol's happiness not only boosted Cruzeiro, which now sits atop the table with the same 37 points as Flamengo, but also created a sort of "bad luck transfer" to Gávea. The lesson is: in football, sometimes the best training center is a peaceful heart.

The Truth Table (So you don't embarrass yourself at the bar)

Before we dissect the matches, here's your official cheat sheet for reviewing with friends. No need to thank me; it's a public service.

Ceará 1 x 1 Flamengo: The New Toy Syndrome

Flamengo went to Fortaleza with the lead and left with a draw that left fans with a headache. The team spent the equivalent of a small country's GDP on reinforcements, like Samuel Lino (R$143 million), and what we saw on the field? The "New Toy Syndrome." Coach Filipe Luís, perhaps to show his worth to the board, named newcomers Emerson Royal and Lino as starters, "jumping the queue" of those already on the roster.

The result was a team lacking chemistry and players visibly out of rhythm. The irony? Mengão's goal was scored by Arrascaeta, a longtime hometown acquaintance, while Vozão equalized with Pedro Raul. The question remains: was there any point in opening the coffers if, in times of crisis, the strategy seems to be more about showcasing the new "assets" than winning the game?

Botafogo 0 x 2 Cruzeiro: The Law of the Ex-Happy

While Flamengo struggled, Cruzeiro did its homework with flying colors. The 2-0 victory over Botafogo wasn't just a result, it was a message. And the messenger, even without finding the net, was Gabigol. His mere presence on the field, with the aura of a man in love, seemed to have transformed the team. Cruzeiro played with the confidence of someone who knows they have a talisman in attack. For Botafogo, which has had its fair share of drama, the bitter feeling of losing at home to the team of the happiest man in Brazil remains. The message for Flamengo is clear: they have a strong competitor in the fight, and they come fueled by magazine gossip.


Corinthians 1 x 1 Fortaleza: The Sweet Taste of Suffering

If there's a team that knows how to turn a home draw into an epic, it's Corinthians. The Lion of Pici opened the scoring after just five minutes through Breno Lopes, and what followed was a test for the faint of heart. Timão fought, missed chances, hit the post, and, just as the Fiel were preparing their horns, equalized in the 48th minute through Peruvian André Carrillo. The result, which, in the cold, hard numbers, is a stumble, was celebrated like a title. It's proof that football isn't just about the score, but about the narrative. While Flamengo's draw was melancholic, Corinthians' had the sweet taste of overcoming suffering.

Vitória 2 x 2 Palmeiras: The Cold Efficiency of Team B

At Barradão, Abel Ferreira's Palmeiras delivered another masterclass in squad management. With a team packed with reserves, Verdão traveled to Salvador, fell behind, fought back to draw 2-2, and returned home with a precious point. The standout performer was Flaco López, who not only scored the equalizer but also became the club's sixth-highest scorer this century. While their rivals are frantic, Palmeiras plays with a calculator in hand, demonstrating the strength of a project that doesn't rely on 11 starters, but on a cohesive group with a winning mentality. It's the victory of strategy over desperation.


Atlético-MG 2 x 1 RB Bragantino: Hot Game and the VAR Finger

At Arena MRV, the game was tense, but one incident changed everything. In the 34th minute of the first half, Bragantino's Eduardo Sasha made a hard tackle on Alexsander. The referee issued a yellow card, but VAR, our key player of the round, called it. After the review, the card changed color: red. With an extra man, Galo had an easier path to a 2-1 victory, with goals from Igor Gomes and Natanael. It was a game decided by grit, but also by the electronic whistle, proving that, nowadays, having a good team is as important as having VAR on your side.


Internacional 1 x 2 São Paulo: The Penalty that Came from Beyond

And to round off Sunday's account, the biggest controversy of the round. São Paulo were a giant, beating Inter 2-1 at Beira-Rio Stadium, with goals from Arboleda and Bobadilla. But the game almost had its script altered by a ghost. At the end of the match, the referee awarded a penalty to Inter after being called by VAR in a dubious play, to say the least. Referee commentator Nadine Bastos, during the broadcast, was categorical: she wouldn't award the penalty, as the contact with the Colorado player occurred after he had already touched the ball. Colorado converted, but it wasn't enough. The Tricolor victory was deserved, but the feeling remained that technology almost committed a crime in Porto Alegre.


Tonight: The Duel of the Desperate

And for those who think the excitement is over, get ready. Tonight, at 8 PM, we'll have the grand final of the Z-4 World Cup: Santos vs. Juventude. Santos, in 17th place, hosts the Caxias do Sul team, in 19th place, in a duel that promises little skill and plenty of nerves. The good news for Santos fans is that Neymar finally appears to be fit enough to play a full match, which adds a touch of glamour to this true battle of the hard-pressed. It's a game for those with a strong stomach.


Final Word: The Verdict of the Week

What did we learn from this round? That the Brasileirão is a soap opera where tactics sometimes play a supporting role. The stars were the love of a striker and the omnipresence of a video booth. We saw that a draw can be heroic (Corinthians), pragmatic (Palmeiras), or depressing (Flamengo), depending on the jersey you wear. The question for next week is: Will Gabigol's love continue to work miracles? Or will VAR finally take a break? Place your bets. See you at the next MATCH OF THE WEEK!