São Paulo out on penalties: a debut to forget for Tapia | OneFootball

São Paulo’s run in this year’s Copa do Brasil came to a painful halt after a penalty shootout defeat to Athletico Paranaense, as reported by Arquibancada Tricolor. The decisive moment unfolded in dramatic fashion, with São Paulo missing each of their first three penalties in the round of 16 tie—a sequence that included the miss from recent signing Gonzalo Tapia, whose effort caught particular attention in his native Chile.

The contest itself had been evenly matched across two legs. After winning the home game 2-1, São Paulo travelled to Curitiba with a narrow advantage, only to see it wiped away in a 1-0 defeat at Arena da Baixada. That set the stage for penalties, where nerves proved costly: all of São Paulo’s opening three attempts were off target, ensuring their elimination.

Tapia, who stepped up as São Paulo’s second penalty taker, saw his miss amplified by coverage in Chilean media. According to Arquibancada Tricolor, Chilean outlet Redgol headlined the moment as Tapia “assumed the maximum responsibility in São Paulo, but the story did not have a happy end for the former Universidad Católica player.” The scrutiny speaks to the high expectations and immediate pressure faced by new arrivals, especially when the margins for error are this thin.

Elimination from the cup continues a turbulent period for the squad and staff. The disappointment comes alongside concerns over defensive stalwart Arboleda, whose status is now uncertain after being forced off at halftime with a thigh issue—another setback for head coach Hernán Crespo as he seeks to stabilize the squad heading into the next phase of the season.

Attention shifts quickly for São Paulo, who now prepare to face Vitória in the 19th round of the league on Saturday evening. The coaching staff’s focus will be on regrouping from the harsh exit while addressing both the psychological blow of the shootout and the physical availability of key players.

With the dust settling after the penalty heartbreak, São Paulo faces the challenge of moving forward, both in the league and in maintaining squad morale.

Photo by Ricardo Moreira/Getty Images