Seven-time state champion and one of the most traditional football clubs in Rio de Janeiro, America will end a long hiatus without a national calendar.
After a 0-0 draw in the first leg of the semifinal, Mecão defeated Araruama 1-0 this Saturday (6th), playing at Giulite Coutinho.
And secured a spot in the Copa Rio final, a tournament in which the winner chooses to play either Série D or the Copa do Brasil next season.
The runner-up gets the other spot.
Portuguesa and Maricá – rivals in the other semi – will play the second leg this Sunday (7th). The first leg saw Lusa from Ilha do Governador win 2-0.
Henrique scored the only goal of the match at 18 minutes into the first half.
GOOOOOLLLLLL DO MECÃOOO
HENRIQUE DE CABEÇA ABRE O PLACAR. VAMOSSS, SANGUE! 🩸
AMERICA 1 x 0 ARARUAMA pic.twitter.com/mY5PCT5Q5i
— America Football Club (@AmericaRJ) September 6, 2025
Previously, America had eliminated Niteroiense, Audax, and Cabofriense.
They conceded only two goals in eight matches. And remain unbeaten: four wins and four draws.
SANGUEEEEE!!!
O America está de volta ao uma competição nacional! O time venceu o Araruama, por 1 a 0, no Giullite Coutinho, e está na decisão da Copa Rio. Com a classificação, o time do Presidente Romário disputará a Série D ou a Copa do Brasil em 2026! Sangueeeee!!! pic.twitter.com/4rAYJcuFJ3— Emerson Rocha (@emerson_rocha) September 6, 2025
Presided over by former striker and current Senator of the Republic Romário (PL), the Alvirrubro has not competed in a national tournament since 2010.
On that occasion, Alvirrubro finished third in Group A7 of the competition, with ten points.
They saw Uberaba (13) and Rio Branco-ES (10 and a better goal difference) qualify.
Before that, America played in Série C and the Copa do Brasil in 2007.
They reached the third phase in Série C, but were eliminated after finishing fourth and last in Group 28.
In the Copa do Brasil, Mecão knocked out Coruripe from Alagoas in the first round, but were eliminated by Atlético Mineiro in the next.
They drew 1-1 at Giulite Coutinho and lost the return leg in Belo Horizonte 2-1.
Their last appearance in Série B was in 2000, when they played in the Yellow Module of the João Havelange Cup. And they haven’t played in the top tier of the Brasileirão since 1988.
Success after a poor campaign in Carioca’s A2
The first mission of the season was to return to the top tier of the Carioca.
America hasn’t participated in the tournament since 2021.
But their performance on the field left much to be desired.
There was even a risk of relegation.
Mecão ended up staying in A2 by finishing sixth, with 14 points.
Duque de Caxias and Petrópolis, both with 12, were relegated.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.
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