Palmeiras beaten at home by Atletico Mineiro as Flamengo cut the gap
Victor Hugo and Igor Gomes scored at the Nubank Parque to end Palmeiras’ unbeaten home league record, and Flamengo’s 1-1 draw with Sao Paulo left them six points behind with a game in hand.
Jul 27, 2026
Palmeiras had not lost a league game at home all season. That went on Sunday night, and Atletico Mineiro were the side who took it, winning 2-1 at the Nubank Parque to cut the leaders’ advantage at the top of the Brasileirao to six points.
A goalkeeping error, then a quick reply
The game turned nine minutes into the second half. Carlos Miguel could only push out a shot from Cassierra, and Victor Hugo followed in to score from the rebound on 54 minutes. Palmeiras had been the better side to that point and had nothing to show for it.
Felipe Anderson, on as a substitute, levelled it on 79 minutes. The celebrations lasted about two minutes. Igor Gomes was given time on the left, took aim and put Atletico back in front on 81, and this time the hosts had no answer.
Atletico climb to 28 points and eighth. Palmeiras stay top on 44 from 20 games, so the damage is to the cushion rather than the position, but losing at home changes how the run-in looks.
Flamengo could not take advantage
Second-placed Flamengo had the chance to close right up and drew 1-1 with Sao Paulo at the Maracana. Leo Pereira put them ahead just before the hour, Jonathan Calleri equalised on 70 minutes, and a late Samuel Lino finish was ruled out for offside by the semi-automated system.
Flamengo sit on 38 points from 19 games. Their postponed fixture against Mirassol is the one to keep an eye on: win it and the gap at the top is three, which changes the shape of this title race considerably. Sao Paulo, meanwhile, are 12th on 26 and still waiting for a win under Dorival Junior.
The rest of round 20
Athletico Paranaense are the team nobody is talking about and they are third on 36, having beaten Internacional 2-0 on Saturday. Botafogo won 1-0 at Cruzeiro through Gabriel Pereira Justino’s goal just before half time.
Gremio and Fluminense drew 1-1, Hulk converting a penalty before Diego Caito equalised late on. Bahia and Corinthians also finished level, Facundo Angileri scoring early for the visitors and Duarte replying in first-half stoppage time. Red Bull Bragantino and Coritiba played out a goalless draw, and Remo beat Vitoria 2-0 for a result that matters at the other end of the table.
Eighteen rounds remain and the season runs to 2 December. Palmeiras have been the most consistent side in the country for months, but they now have a Flamengo team with a game in hand behind them and an Athletico Paranaense side quietly picking up points. Sunday was the first evidence in a while that the title is not settled.