CEC Santa Catarina pulled off a significant 3-1 upset victory over Avaí FC in the Brazilian Campeonato Catarinense Division 1 on January 26, 2026. The home side outperformed expectations to secure a convincing win against one of the state's traditional powers. CEC took the game to their more fancied opponents, establishing a lead with energetic pressing and sharp counter-attacks. They managed to score three well-taken goals, demonstrating efficiency in front of goal. Avaí FC, a club with a strong pedigree, managed to pull one back but were ultimately second-best on the day, struggling to contain CEC's offensive surges. This result serves as a major boost for CEC Santa Catarina's campaign in the state championship, proving they can compete with the top sides. For Avaí, it's a disappointing start to their Catarinense season, and they will need to regroup quickly to address defensive vulnerabilities.