Criciuma secured a hard-fought 1-0 away victory against Brusque FC in the Brazilian Campeonato Catarinense Division 1 on Sunday, March 1, 2026. In a tense and physical encounter that kicked off at 05:30, a single goal was enough for Criciuma to claim all three points and continue their push for the state championship title. This result demonstrated Criciuma's ability to grind out wins in difficult circumstances. The decisive moment came in the second half when Criciuma's winger cut inside and fired a low shot into the corner, breaking the deadlock in a match of few clear chances. The key incident was a late red card for Brusque, which ended any hope of a comeback and summed up their frustration. The win kept Criciuma firmly in the title race, while Brusque's hopes of a top-four finish suffered a setback. The Criciuma manager praised his team's maturity and game management, and the Brusque coach was critical of the refereeing decision that led to the dismissal.