Série D: Keeper saves 3️⃣ pens to clinch last quarter-final spot

Now only eight teams remain in the fight for the four spots in the 2026 Terceirona.

After the classifications of ASA, Goiatuba, Inter de Limeira, Cianorte, and Barra, América de Natal, Maranhão, and Santa Cruz were the teams that advanced this Sunday (24).

Santinha qualified with a victory in penalties after a tense duel in Piauí.

There were THREE saves by hero Rokenedy, who had already made a difference in the first knockout against Sergipe.

See which are the decisive duels of the quarterfinals next.

Was only 0-0 valid?

After winning in Maranhão by 1-0, América de Natal drew 0-0 with Imperatriz at Arena das Dunas. And they are seeking access - they last played in the Third Division in 2023.

At the same time, Maranhão defeated Central playing in Caruaru. They won at home by 2-1 and kept the score at zero.

The Demolisher of Posters only guaranteed their classification in the final round of the group stage to then eliminate two rivals considered favorites: Tuna Luso and, now, Alvinegro do Agreste.

Their last Series C was in 2026.

The last match of the Sunday of decisions was Altos x Santa Cruz, who faced off at Lindolfo Monteiro after a 1-1 draw at Arena Pernambuco.

The big play of the regular time - which also ended without goals - happened at 34 minutes of the final stage.

Albert missed, Renato was in great condition, but committed a penalty when he would be face to face with goalkeeper Careca.

Essa decisão do Renato é inacreditável! O que eu não escrevi, eu pensei sobre o que ele foi aqui. Árbitro foi bem demais#SérieDnaSérieZpic.twitter.com/IRiBnyh2qK

— Revista Série Z (@revistaseriez) August 24, 2025

He received a yellow card for simulation after wasting a great chance for Santa Cruz, who no longer had substitute Thiago Galhardo.

Rokenedy hero ONCE AGAIN

Renato "redeemed" himself by opening the penalty kicks for Santa with efficiency (0x1).

Altos' number 10, Esquerdinha, was stopped by Rokenedy (0x1).

Geovany kicked with quality to score the second for Tricolor (0x2).

Rokenedy shone again by defending Jonathan's kick (0x2).

The sequence had João Pedro hitting the crossbar (0x2).

Digão scored the first for Altos (1x2).

Balotelli extended the lead for Santinha (1x3).

Falling in the same left corner, Rokenedy caught Leandro Amorim's shot (1x3) and classified Santa Cruz.

The Cobra Coral hasn't played in Series C since 2021.

Northeastern dominance 📊

There are four teams from the Northeast, two from the South, one from the Southeast, and one from the Midwest still in the running.

The matchups for the decisive quarterfinal phase were made based on the sum of the accumulated points since the group stage.

ASA - 41 points

Inter de Limeira - 36

Barra - 36 points

América de Natal - 35

Santa Cruz - 32

Cianorte - 30

Goiatuba - 29

Maranhão - 26

Quarterfinal duels 👇🏽

ASA 🆚 Maranhão

Inter de Limeira 🆚 Goiatuba

Barra 🆚 Cianorte

América de Natal 🆚 Santa Cruz

*Teams on the left decide at home

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.