From an eight-goal classic in Porto Alegre to late equalisers, shock defeats, and statement victories, matchday two delivered another vivid reminder of why the Brasileirão remains one of the most unpredictable leagues in world football.
Traditional heavyweights, newly promoted sides, and early pacesetters all had their moments, while familiar flaws and early-season rust also began to surface.
Gremio v Botafogo
What proved to be the game of the week took place at the Arena do Gremio, as Gremio and Botafogo served up an epic eight-goal thriller.
Gremio came into the match looking to bounce back from their defeat to Fluminense last week. Meanwhile, Botafogo arrived in a confident mood after a 4-0 battering of Cruzeiro.
It was the away side Botafogo who got off to the better start. Captain Alexander Barboza played a wonderful long-range pass, which Arthur Cabral showed great composure to control before slotting the ball past Weverton in the Gremio goal.
However, moments later, former Fulham forward Carlos Vinicius pulled things level for the hosts.
It would be the 2024 champions who struck next, taking the lead and going into half-time ahead thanks to a well-worked move that saw Danilo apply the finish.
However, the second half proved to be a very different story. Vinicius scored just five minutes after the restart to level the match, before converting from the penalty spot on 57 minutes to fire Gremio into a 3-2 lead and complete his hat-trick.
Things then got even better for the side from Porto Alegre as Tete and Edenilson struck in quick succession to make it 5-2.
Danilo did add a second for Botafogo, with Barbosa once again providing the assist, but it proved to be nothing more than a consolation as Gremio ran out 5-3 winners in a classic encounter.
Palmeiras v Vitoria
Palmeiras played host to Vitoria at the Allianz Parque in this fixture last season, with Vitoria frustrating the hosts in a goalless draw. However, it was a very different story this time around.
Goals from centre-backs Murillo and Gustavo Gomez fired Verdao into a two-goal lead inside the opening half-hour.
Things then got even better for Palmeiras right on the stroke of half-time, as Mauricio made it 3-0, giving Abel Ferreira the perfect cushion heading into the interval.
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Vitoria did pull one back early in the second half, giving themselves a glimmer of hope when Dudu found the net after a neat pass from Fabrício.
However, any comeback hopes were quickly extinguished as Allan Elias cut inside from the right-hand side and smashed a strike from distance, making it 4-1 and leaving Vitoria with no way back
Paraguayan Ramon Sosa added a fifth from a similar area soon after, his effort taking a deflection which wrong-footed goalkeeper Gabriel.
Remo v Mirassol
After 27 years away from the top flight, Remo were given a rude awakening on opening night, suffering a 2-0 defeat to Vitória.
They welcomed Mirassol in week two, who had enjoyed a 2-1 victory over Vasco in their season opener.
The hosts raced into a two-goal lead, with Joao Pedro opening the scoring inside eight minutes after being teed up by Alef Manga.
Manga then got himself on the scoresheet six minutes before the interval, thanks to a lovely half volley, as Remo went into half-time two goals to the good following a dominant first-half display.
It looked as though Remo were going to hang on for an important three points, but on 81 minutes, Igor Formiga produced a clever finish, setting up a nervy final few minutes for the hosts.
Mirassol then capitalised on that momentum in the 89th minute, when Nathan Fogaca got on the end of a Joao Victor header from a Mirassol free kick.
The sides ultimately could not be separated in an entertaining 2-2 draw, and if anything, it proved to be a classic tale of two halves.
Flamengo v Internacional
Flamengo met Internacional at the famous Maracana stadium. In this fixture last season, the sides played out a 1-1 draw in the league.
However, in the Copa Libertadores, it was Flamengo who came out on top, securing a 1-0 victory at home before completing the job with a 2-0 win away from home.
Heading into the game, Internacional had not won at the Maracana since a thumping 4-0 victory back in 2021.
Flamengo needed to bounce back following a 2-0 loss to Corinthians in the Supercopa do Brasil at the weekend.
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Lucas Paqueta was making his first start for Flamengo, and it did not get off to the best of beginnings. He was booked inside four minutes.
Flamengo dominated possession and chances, registering nine shots in the first half but managing just two on target.
However, right on the stroke of half-time, it was Internacional who took a surprise lead.
A lovely ball from Johan Carbonero picked out Rafael Santos Borre, who chopped inside onto his left foot before smashing the ball past Rossi in the Flamengo goal just before the break, giving Internacional a surprise lead and likely changing the team talks for both managers.
In the second half, Flamengo probed and pushed for an equaliser, while Internacional dropped deeper in an attempt to protect their advantage.
Flamengo’s pressure eventually paid off when a rash challenge from Alexandro Bernabei brought down Guillermo Varela inside the box.
South American Player of the Year Giorgian de Arrascaeta stepped up and sent Sergio Rochet the wrong way to level the scores.
Jorge Carrascal then had a late chance to win it for Flamengo, but was denied by Rochet, as both sides ultimately had to settle for a point.
The result means the pair are still searching for their first win of the season, with a draw and a defeat from their opening two matches.
Santos v Sao Paulo
Santos and Sao Paulo went head-to-head for the second time in a week, having previously met on Sunday in a state championship clash. On that occasion, it was Sao Paulo who ran out 2-0 winners on home soil.
This time, however, Sao Paulo made the trip to the Estadio Vila Belmiro. The first half saw Santos marginally on top, and that pressure paid off in the fifth minute of stoppage time when Ze Rafael put the hosts 1-0 ahead.
In the second half, a header from Jonathan Calleri ensured Sao Paulo avoided defeat and earned a solid point on the road in a 1-1 draw.
Santos are now searching for their first win and are winless in their last seven matches, while Sao Paulo extended their unbeaten run to three games.
Bragantino v Atletico Mineiro
It does not feel all that long since Bragantino hosted Atletico Mineiro in a Serie A fixture, probably because it wasn’t.
Back on 16 November 2025, Bragantino recorded a 2-0 victory over Atletico Mineiro as Galo were preparing for their Sudamericana final against Lanus. That final would ultimately prove to be a disappointing occasion for them.
This time around, it was a similar story. Gustavo Neves fired Bragantino into the lead. His strike would prove to be the only goal of the game, securing all three points for the hosts.
The result means Bragantino are the only side in Brazil to win their opening two matches. They are sitting top of the Brasileirao with six points, having scored two goals and conceded none following back-to-back 1-0 victories.
Cruzeiro v Coritiba
Cruzeiro came into the season as one of the favourites to push for the title. However, their start to the campaign has been well below expectations.
Following last week’s heavy 4-0 defeat to Botafogo, they knew a response was needed. Matheus Pereira put Cruzeiro ahead after some lovely footwork and a fine strike, giving Tite’s side a 1-0 lead.
However, right on the stroke of half-time, Joaquin Lavega equalised for Coritiba, sending the sides into the break level.
In the second half, Coritiba struck on the counter-attack. A well-worked move saw Breno Lopes round goalkeeper Cassio before slotting the ball into the net, securing an important three points and leaving Cruzeiro frustrated once again.
It is hard to argue that Coritiba did not deserve the victory. Despite registering just two shots on target, they counter-attacked effectively and created the better openings.
Cruzeiro are the only side to lose their opening two matches. They currently sit bottom of the table with a goal difference of minus five, leaving plenty of work for Tite to do.
Fluminense v Bahia
Fluminense travelled to Bahia looking to build on their 2-1 victory over Gremio on the opening day. Inside 20 minutes, a well-worked move saw Nonato pick out John Kennedy, who finished confidently to put the visitors 1-0 ahead.
However, the second half saw Bahia draw level, as Cristian Olivera capitalised on some sloppy defending from Fluminense. Both the backline and the goalkeeper were caught out by a simple cross that could have been dealt with.
There was a negative for Bahia, as young forward Dell, who impressed during the 2025 Copinha, was introduced as a second-half substitute. However, he was sent off following a VAR review for lashing out.
The draw means Fluminense and Bahia sit sixth and seventh respectively, both on four points. They have scored three goals and conceded two apiece.
Vasco da Gama v Chapecoense
After impressing on opening day, Chapecoense travelled to Rio de Janeiro to take on Vasco da Gama. Vasco were hoping to bounce back from their 2-1 defeat to Mirassol.
The first half was dominated by Vasco, who registered 17 shots, six on target, and an expected goals figure of 1.98. However, they were unable to find the breakthrough.
Puma Rodriguez eventually put the hosts ahead early in the second half.
Vasco then went on to dominate proceedings once again. They finished the match with 13 second-half shots, seven on target, and an xG of 2.80. By comparison, Chapecoense’s xG was only 0.25.
However, expected goals ultimately counted for nothing. A late free kick for Chapecoense was absolutely rocketed into the net by Jean Carlos. This rescued a point for the visitors in a match they were largely second-best.
Chapecoense will not care how the point arrived, as they fully capitalised on Vasco’s wastefulness in front of goal.
The result leaves Vasco sitting 13th after two matches and still searching for their first win. Meanwhile, Chapecoense move up to third place in the table.
Athletico Paranaense v Corinthians
Athletico Paranaense and Corinthians were due to meet in round two; the fixture has been rearranged for 19 February.
The postponement was due to Corinthians’ participation in the Supercopa do Brasil on Sunday. This clashed with one of their state championship matches.