Operário eliminates Chapecoense on penalties and faces Grêmio in Copa do Brasil Sub-20

The U-20 Worker is qualified for the second phase of the Copa do Brasil of the category. In an exciting match on Thursday (10), in Ponta Grossa, the Phantom drew 2-2 with Chapecoense during the 90 minutes and confirmed the spot after the penalty shootout.

The match, valid for the first phase of the national competition, was played at the Estadio Joaquim de Paula Xavier, at Clube Guarani. As the playoff was held in a single game, the equal time regulation led to the definition directly for penalties.

The two alvinegros goals during normal time were scored by Caio, who had a decisive role to keep the team alive in the quest for classification.

Ghost confirms vagueness in our penalties

In the dispute that defined the qualifier, the players chosen by the Worker for the collections were, in order, Caio, Leo Eric, Dudu Gasparello, Heitor and Andrew.

With the classification confirmed, the team led by coach Thiago Schumacher keeps the Worker among the teams that are still alive in one of the main national competitions of the base categories.

The Copa do Brasil U-20 won an expanded format in 2026, with 64 participants. The first two phases are held in single matches, while, from the final octaves, the qualifiers start to play back and forth confrontations.

Next challenge will be against the Gremio

The challenge increases considerably in the next phase. The Worker will face the Grêmio, with a departure scheduled for October 7, in Rio Grande do Sul.

The Alvinegro opponent also arrives packed. Grêmio secured their qualification by scoring Real Sport Clube-RS 5–0 in the first phase. Bernardo Ferreira, João Borne, Danillo, Vitor Ramon and Harlley scored the goals of the Gaucho team.

Just as it happened in the debut, the second phase will also be defined in a single confrontation. In this way, the winner guarantees presence in the final octaves of the competition.

Worker returns to advance in the national tournament

The 2026 campaign also reinforces the presence of the Ghost on the national stage of the grassroots categories. This is the second participation of the Worker in the Copa do Brasil U-20.

In the previous edition, Alvinegro also needed the penalties to advance in the debut: after facing Criciúma, he guaranteed the classification in penalties. Following that campaign, the Worker was eliminated by Novorizontino.

Now, Piazada will once again have the opportunity to extend the history of the club in the competition. The next chapter will be in front of one of the great Brazilian football clubs, with Grêmio x Operário worth a spot among the qualifiers for the final eight of the Copa do Brasil U-20.