Santos won the prestigious Paulista derby, defeating Sao Paulo 1-0 at home in the Brazilian Serie A on September 22, 2025. The narrow victory in one of Brazil's biggest rivalries was a massive result for Santos, fueled by a passionate home crowd. The only goal of the game came in the first half from a moment of individual brilliance, and despite intense pressure from Sao Paulo in the second period, Santos held on resiliently. The match was not without controversy, as Sao Paulo had a strong penalty appeal waved away by the referee in the closing stages, leading to heated protests. Santos's goalkeeper was the hero, making a series of crucial saves to preserve the lead and secure a clean sheet. This derby win provided a major boost to Santos's league position and morale, while dealing a setback to Sao Paulo's title-chasing ambitions. The Santos manager dedicated the win to the fans, while the Sao Paulo coach expressed frustration with the officiating and his team's finishing.