2018 in Brazilian football
The following article presents a summary of the 2018 football season in Brazil, which was the 117th season of competitive football in the country.
| Season | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|
| Men's football | ||
| Série A | Palmeiras | |
| Série B | Fortaleza | |
| Série C | Operário Ferroviário | |
| Série D | Ferroviário | |
| Copa do Brasil | Cruzeiro | |
| Women's football | ||
| Série A1 | Corinthians | |
| Série A2 | Minas/ICESP | |
| ||
Campeonato Brasileiro Série A
The 2018 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A started on April 14, 2018, and is scheduled to end on December 2, 2018.
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Palmeiras (C) | 38 | 23 | 11 | 4 | 64 | 26 | +38 | 80 | Qualification for Copa Libertadores group stage |
| 2 | Flamengo | 38 | 21 | 9 | 8 | 59 | 29 | +30 | 72 | |
| 3 | Internacional | 38 | 19 | 12 | 7 | 51 | 29 | +22 | 69 | |
| 4 | Grêmio | 38 | 18 | 12 | 8 | 48 | 27 | +21 | 66 | |
| 5 | São Paulo | 38 | 16 | 15 | 7 | 46 | 34 | +12 | 63 | Qualification for Copa Libertadores second stage |
| 6 | Atlético Mineiro | 38 | 17 | 8 | 13 | 56 | 43 | +13 | 59 | |
| 7 | Atlético Paranaense | 38 | 16 | 9 | 13 | 54 | 37 | +17 | 57 | Qualification for Copa Libertadores group stage[lower-alpha 1] |
| 8 | Cruzeiro | 38 | 14 | 11 | 13 | 34 | 34 | 0 | 53 | Qualification for Copa Libertadores group stage[lower-alpha 2] |
| 9 | Botafogo | 38 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 38 | 46 | −8 | 51 | Qualification for Copa Sudamericana first stage |
| 10 | Santos | 38 | 13 | 11 | 14 | 46 | 40 | +6 | 50 | |
| 11 | Bahia | 38 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 39 | 41 | −2 | 48 | |
| 12 | Fluminense | 38 | 12 | 9 | 17 | 32 | 46 | −14 | 45 | |
| 13 | Corinthians | 38 | 11 | 11 | 16 | 34 | 35 | −1 | 44 | |
| 14 | Chapecoense | 38 | 11 | 11 | 16 | 34 | 50 | −16 | 44 | |
| 15 | Ceará | 38 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 32 | 38 | −6 | 44 | |
| 16 | Vasco da Gama | 38 | 10 | 13 | 15 | 41 | 48 | −7 | 43 | |
| 17 | América Mineiro (R) | 38 | 10 | 10 | 18 | 30 | 47 | −17 | 40 | Relegation to Campeonato Brasileiro Série B |
| 18 | Sport[lower-alpha 3] (R) | 38 | 11 | 9 | 18 | 35 | 57 | −22 | 39 | |
| 19 | Vitória (R) | 38 | 9 | 10 | 19 | 36 | 63 | −27 | 37 | |
| 20 | Paraná (R) | 38 | 4 | 11 | 23 | 18 | 57 | −39 | 23 |
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) wins; 3) goal difference; 4) goals scored; 5) head-to-head results; 6) least red cards received; 7) least yellow cards received; 8) draw.
(C) Champions; (R) Relegated
Notes:
- Atlético Paranaense qualified for the Copa Libertadores group stage by winning the 2018 Copa Sudamericana.
- Cruzeiro qualified for the Copa Libertadores group stage by winning the 2018 Copa do Brasil.
- Sport were deducted three points for the late payment of salary of player Gabriel.
Palmeiras won the league.
Relegation
The four worst placed teams, Sport, América Mineiro, Vitória and Paraná, were relegated to the following year's second level.
Campeonato Brasileiro Série B
The 2018 Campeonato Brasileiro Série B started on April 13, 2018, and concluded on November 24, 2018.
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fortaleza (C, P) | 38 | 21 | 8 | 9 | 54 | 33 | +21 | 71 | Promotion to 2019 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A |
| 2 | CSA (P) | 38 | 17 | 11 | 10 | 51 | 37 | +14 | 62 | |
| 3 | Avaí (P) | 38 | 16 | 13 | 9 | 50 | 32 | +18 | 61 | |
| 4 | Goiás (P) | 38 | 18 | 6 | 14 | 54 | 50 | +4 | 60 | |
| 5 | Ponte Preta | 38 | 16 | 12 | 10 | 42 | 30 | +12 | 60 | |
| 6 | Atlético Goianiense | 38 | 16 | 11 | 11 | 57 | 51 | +6 | 59 | |
| 7 | Vila Nova | 38 | 14 | 15 | 9 | 41 | 36 | +5 | 57 | |
| 8 | Londrina | 38 | 15 | 10 | 13 | 45 | 42 | +3 | 55 | |
| 9 | Guarani | 38 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 44 | 39 | +5 | 54 | |
| 10 | Coritiba | 38 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 40 | 44 | −4 | 52 | |
| 11 | Brasil de Pelotas | 38 | 13 | 11 | 14 | 36 | 35 | +1 | 50 | |
| 12 | CRB | 38 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 35 | 39 | −4 | 48 | |
| 13 | São Bento | 38 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 41 | 41 | 0 | 47 | |
| 14 | Criciúma | 38 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 45 | 49 | −4 | 47 | |
| 15 | Figueirense | 38 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 48 | 51 | −3 | 46 | |
| 16 | Oeste | 38 | 9 | 19 | 10 | 36 | 40 | −4 | 46 | |
| 17 | Paysandu (R) | 38 | 10 | 13 | 15 | 42 | 53 | −11 | 43 | Relegation to 2019 Campeonato Brasileiro Série C |
| 18 | Sampaio Corrêa (R) | 38 | 10 | 8 | 20 | 32 | 47 | −15 | 38 | |
| 19 | Juventude (R) | 38 | 7 | 14 | 17 | 27 | 48 | −21 | 35 | |
| 20 | Boa Esporte (R) | 38 | 7 | 9 | 22 | 26 | 49 | −23 | 30 |
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) wins; 3) goal difference; 4) goals scored; 5) head-to-head results; 6) least red cards received; 7) least yellow cards received; 8) draw.
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Fortaleza won the league.
Promotion
The four best placed teams, Fortaleza, CSA, Avaí and Goiás, were promoted to the following year's first level.
Relegation
The four worst placed teams, Paysandu, Sampaio Corrêa, Juventude and Boa Esporte, were relegated to the following year's third level.
Campeonato Brasileiro Série C
The 2018 Campeonato Brasileiro Série C started on April 14, 2018, and concluded on September 22, 2018.
The Campeonato Brasileiro Série C final was played between Operário Ferroviário and Cuiabá.
Operário Ferroviário won the league after beating Cuiabá
Promotion
The four best placed teams, Operário Ferroviário, Cuiabá, Botafogo (SP) and Bragantino, were promoted to the following year's second level.
Relegation
The four worst placed teams, Tupi, Juazeirense, Salgueiro and Joinville, were relegated to the following year's fourth level.
Campeonato Brasileiro Série D
The 2018 Campeonato Brasileiro Série D started on April 21, 2018, and concluded on August 4, 2018.
- 4 de Julho
- Altos
- América de Natal
- Americano
- Aparecidense
- ASA
- ASSU
- Atlético Itapemirim
- Barcelona
- Baré
- Belo Jardim
- Brasiliense
- Brusque
- Caldense
- Campinense
- Caxias
- Ceilândia
- Central
- Cianorte
- Cordino
- Corumbaense
- Dom Bosco
- Espírito Santo
- Ferroviária
- Ferroviário
- Flamengo de Arcoverde
- Fluminense de Feira
- Guarani de Juazeiro
- Imperatriz
- Independente
- Internacional de Lages
- Interporto
- Iporá
- Itabaiana
- Itumbiara
- Jacuipense
- Linense
- Macaé
- Macapá
- Madureira
- Manaus
- Maringá
- Mirassol
- Mogi Mirim
- Moto Club
- Murici
- Nacional
- Nova Iguaçu
- Novo Hamburgo
- Novoperário
- Novorizontino
- Plácido de Castro
- Prudentópolis
- Real Ariquemes
- Rio Branco (AC)
- Santa Rita
- Santos (AP)
- São José (RS)
- São Raimundo (PA)
- São Raimundo (RR)
- Sergipe
- Sinop
- Sparta
- Treze
- Tubarão
- Uberlândia
- URT
- Vitória da Conquista
The Campeonato Brasileiro Série D final was played between Ferroviário and Treze.
Ferroviário won the league after defeating Treze.
Promotion
The four best placed teams, Ferroviário, Treze, São José (RS) and Imperatriz, were promoted to the following year's third level.
Domestic cups
Copa do Brasil
The 2018 Copa do Brasil started on January 30, 2018, and concluded on October 17, 2018. The Copa do Brasil final was played between Cruzeiro and Corinthians.
Cruzeiro won the cup after defeating Corinthians.
Copa do Nordeste
The competition featured 20 clubs from the Northeastern region. It started on August 15, 2017, and concluded on July 7, 2018. The Copa do Nordeste final was played between Sampaio Corrêa and Bahia.
Sampaio Corrêa won the cup after defeating Bahia.
Copa Verde
The competition featured 18 clubs from the North and Central-West regions, including the Espírito Santo champions. It started on January 21, 2018, and concluded on May 16, 2018. The Copa Verde final was played between Paysandu and Atlético Itapemirim.
Paysandu won the cup after defeating Atlético Itapemirim.
State championship champions
| State | Champions |
|---|---|
 Acre |
Rio Branco |
 Alagoas |
CSA |
 Amapá |
Ypiranga |
 Amazonas |
Manaus |
 Bahia |
Bahia |
 Ceará |
Ceará |
.svg.png.webp){kind=small} Distrito Federal |
Sobradinho |
 Espírito Santo |
Serra |
 Goiás |
Goiás |
 Maranhão |
Moto Club |
 Mato Grosso |
Cuiabá |
 Mato Grosso do Sul |
Operário |
 Minas Gerais |
Cruzeiro |
 Pará |
Remo |
 Paraíba |
Botafogo |
 Paraná |
Atlético Paranaense |
 Pernambuco |
Náutico |
 Piauí |
Altos |
 Rio de Janeiro |
Botafogo |
 Rio Grande do Norte |
ABC |
 Rio Grande do Sul |
Grêmio |
 Rondônia |
Real Ariquemes |
 Roraima |
São Raimundo |
 Santa Catarina |
Figueirense |
 São Paulo |
Corinthians |
 Sergipe |
Sergipe |
 Tocantins |
Palmas |
State cup competition champions
| Competition | Champions |
|---|---|
| Copa Espírito Santo | Vitória |
| Copa Fares Lopes | Ferroviário |
| Copa FGF | Avenida |
| Copa FMF (MA) | Maranhão |
| Copa FMF (MT) | Mixto |
| Copa Paulista | Votuporanguense |
| Copa Rio | Americano |
| Copa Santa Catarina | Brusque |
Youth competition champions
(1) The Copa Nacional do Espírito Santo Sub-17, between 2008 and 2012, was named Copa Brasil Sub-17. The similar named Copa do Brasil Sub-17 is organized by the Brazilian Football Confederation and it was first played in 2013.
Brazilian clubs in international competitions
| Team | 2018 Copa Libertadores | 2018 Copa Sudamericana | 2018 Recopa Sudamericana |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlético Mineiro | N/A | First Stage eliminated by  San Lorenzo |
N/A |
| Atlético Paranaense | N/A | Champions defeated  Junior |
N/A |
| Bahia | N/A | Quarter-finals eliminated by  Atlético Paranaense |
N/A |
| Botafogo | N/A | Round of 16 eliminated by Bahia |
N/A |
| Chapecoense | Second Stage eliminated by  Nacional |
N/A | N/A |
| Corinthians | Round of 16 eliminated by  Colo-Colo |
N/A | N/A |
| Cruzeiro | Quarter-finals eliminated by Boca Juniors |
N/A | N/A |
| Flamengo | Round of 16 eliminated by Cruzeiro |
N/A | N/A |
| Fluminense | N/A | Semi-finals eliminated by Atlético Paranaense |
N/A |
| Grêmio | Semi-finals eliminated by River Plate |
N/A | Champions defeated Independiente |
| Palmeiras | Semi-finals eliminated by Boca Juniors |
N/A | N/A |
| Santos | Round of 16 eliminated by Independiente |
N/A | N/A |
| São Paulo | N/A | Second Stage eliminated by Colón |
N/A |
| Vasco da Gama | Eliminated in the Group Stage |
Second Stage eliminated by  LDU Quito |
N/A |
Brazil national team
The following table lists all the games played by the Brazilian national team in official competitions and friendly matches during 2018.
Friendlies
| March 23 | Russia  | 0–3 | Brazil | Moscow, Russia |
| 13:00 UTC−3 | Report | Miranda  53' Philippe Coutinho 62' (pen.) Paulinho 66' |
Stadium: Luzhniki Stadium Attendance: 59,263 Referee: Aleksei Kulbakov (Belarus) |
| March 27 | Germany  | 0–1 | Brazil | Berlin, Germany |
| 15:45 UTC−3 | Report | Gabriel Jesus 37' |
Stadium: Olympiastadion Attendance: 72,717 Referee: Jonas Eriksson (Sweden) |
| June 3 | Croatia  | 0–2 | Brazil | Liverpool, England |
| 11:00 UTC−3 | Report | Neymar 69' Roberto Firmino 90+3' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 42,000 Referee: Michael Oliver (England) |
| June 10 | Austria  | 0–3 | Brazil | Vienna, Austria |
| 11:00 UTC−3 | Report | Gabriel Jesus 36' Neymar 63' Philippe Coutinho 69' |
Stadium: Ernst-Happel-Stadion Referee: Viktor Kassai (Hungary) |
| September 7 | United States  | 0–2 | Brazil | East Rutherford, United States |
| 21:00 UTC−3 | Report | Roberto Firmino 11' Neymar 43' (pen.) |
Stadium: MetLife Stadium Attendance: 32,489 Referee: Fernando Guerrero (Mexico) |
| September 11 | Brazil | 5–0 |  El Salvador | Landover, United States |
| 21:30 UTC−3 | Neymar 4' (pen.) Richarlison 16', 50' Philippe Coutinho 30' Marquinhos 90' |
Report | Stadium: FedExField Referee: Jair Marrufo (United States) |
| October 12 | Saudi Arabia  | 0–2 | Brazil | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |
| 15:00 UTC−3 | Report | Gabriel Jesus 43' Alex Sandro 90+6' |
Stadium: King Saud University Stadium Attendance: 23,401 Referee: Danny Makkelie (Netherlands) |
| October 16 | Brazil | 1–0 | Argentina | Jeddah, Saudi Arabia |
| 15:00 UTC−3 | Miranda 90+3' |
Report | Stadium: King Abdullah Sports City Referee: Felix Brych (Germany) |
| November 16 | Brazil | 1–0 | Uruguay | London, England |
| 18:00 UTC−2 | Neymar 76' (pen.) |
Report | Stadium: Emirates Stadium Referee: Craig Pawson (England) |
| November 20 | Brazil | 1–0 |  Cameroon | Milton Keynes, England |
| 17:30 UTC−2 | Richarlison 45' |
Report | Stadium: Stadium MK Attendance: 29,669 Referee: Michael Oliver (England) |
2018 FIFA World Cup
| June 17 Group E | Brazil | 1–1 | .svg.png.webp){kind=small} Switzerland | Rostov-on-Don, Russia |
| 21:00 UTC+3 | Philippe Coutinho 20' |
Report | Zuber 50' |
Stadium: Rostov Arena Attendance: 43,109 Referee: César Ramos (Mexico) |
| June 22 Group E | Brazil | 2–0 |  Costa Rica | Saint Petersburg, Russia |
| 15:00 UTC+3 | Philippe Coutinho 90+1' Neymar 90+7' |
Report | Stadium: Krestovsky Stadium Attendance: 64,468 Referee: Björn Kuipers (Netherlands) |
| June 27 Group E | Serbia  | 0–2 | Brazil | Moscow, Russia |
| 21:00 UTC+3 | Report | Paulinho 36' Thiago Silva 68' |
Stadium: Otkrytiye Arena Attendance: 44,190 Referee: Alireza Faghani (Iran) |
| July 2 Round of 16 | Brazil | 2–0 |  Mexico | Samara, Russia |
| 18:00 UTC+4 | Neymar 51' Roberto Firmino 88' |
Report | Stadium: Cosmos Arena Attendance: 41,970 Referee: Gianluca Rocchi (Italy) |
| July 6 Quarter-finals | Brazil | 1–2 | .svg.png.webp){kind=small} Belgium | Kazan, Russia |
| 21:00 UTC+3 | Renato Augusto 76' |
Report | Fernandinho 13' (o.g.) De Bruyne 31' |
Stadium: Kazan Arena Attendance: 42,873 Referee: Milorad Mažić (Serbia) |
Women's football
National team
The following table lists all the games played by the Brazil women's national football team in official competitions and friendly matches during 2018.
The Brazil women's national football team competed in the following competitions in 2018:
Friendlies
| September 2 | Canada .svg.png.webp){kind=small} | 1–0 | Brazil | Ottawa, Canada |
| 14:00 (EDT) | Prince 48' |
Report | Stadium: TD Place Stadium Attendance: 16,128 Referee: Francia González (Mexico) |
| October 6 | England  | 1–0 | Brazil | Nottingham, England |
| 12:30 (BST) | Kirby 2' |
Report | Stadium: Meadow Lane Attendance: 7,864 Referee: Sandra Braz Bastos (Portugal) |
2018 Copa América
| April 5 Group B | Brazil | 3–1 | Argentina | Coquimbo, Chile |
| 19:00 (CLST) |
|
Report | Banini 54' |
Stadium: Estadio Municipal Francisco Sánchez Rumoroso Referee: Claudia Umpiérrez (Uruguay) |
| April 7 Group B | Brazil | 8–0 | Ecuador | Coquimbo, Chile |
| 19:00 (CLST) |
|
Report | Stadium: Estadio Municipal Francisco Sánchez Rumoroso Referee: Dione Rissios (Chile) |
| April 11 Group B | Brazil | 4–0 | .svg.png.webp){kind=small} Venezuela | Coquimbo, Chile |
| 19:00 (CLST) |
|
Report | Stadium: Estadio Municipal Francisco Sánchez Rumoroso Referee: Olga Miranda (Paraguay) |
| April 13 Group B | Bolivia  | 0–7 | Brazil | Coquimbo, Chile |
| 19:00 (CLST) | Report |
|
Stadium: Estadio Municipal Francisco Sánchez Rumoroso Referee: Elizabeth Tintaya (Peru) |
| April 16 Final Stage | Brazil | 3–1 | Chile | La Serena, Chile |
| 19:00 (CLST) |
|
Report | López 63' |
Stadium: Estadio La Portada Referee: Olga Miranda (Paraguay) |
2018 Tournament of Nations
| July 26 | Brazil | 1–3 | .svg.png.webp){kind=small} Australia | Kansas City, United States |
| 15:15 (CDT) | Debinha 79' |
Report | Stadium: Children's Mercy Park Attendance: 10,307 Referee: Christina Unkel (United States) |
| July 29 | Japan  | 1–2 | Brazil | East Hartford, United States |
| 16:15 (EDT) | Masuya 90+3' |
Report |
|
Stadium: Pratt & Whitney Stadium Attendance: 13,027 Referee: Katja Koroleva (United States) |
| August 2 | United States | 4–1 | Brazil | Bridgeview, United States |
| 19:30 (CDT) | Report | Davidson 16' (o.g.) |
Stadium: Toyota Park Attendance: 18,309 Referee: Quetzalli Alvarado (Mexico) |
| Competition | Performance |
|---|---|
| Copa América | Champions |
| Tournament of Nations | Third place |
Campeonato Brasileiro de Futebol Feminino Série A1
The 2018 Campeonato Brasileiro de Futebol Feminino Série A1 started on April 25, 2018, and concluded on October 26, 2018.
The Campeonato Brasileiro de Futebol Feminino Série A1 final was played between Corinthians and Rio Preto.
Corinthians won the league after defeating Rio Preto.
Relegation
The two worst placed teams, Portuguesa (SP) and Pinheirense, were relegated to the following year's second level.
Campeonato Brasileiro de Futebol Feminino Série A2
The 2018 Campeonato Brasileiro de Futebol Feminino Série A2 started on March 24, 2018, and concluded on July 12, 2018.
- 3B da Amazônia
- América Mineiro
- Atlético Acreano
- Botafogo (PB)
- Canindé
- Caucaia
- Comercial (MS)
- Duque de Caxias
- Embu das Artes
- ESMAC
- Grêmio
- Gurupi
- Internacional
- Jaó
- Lusaca
- Minas/ICESP
- Napoli
- Náutico
- Porto (RO)
- Sampaio Corrêa
- Santana
- São Gonçalo (CE)
- São Raimundo (RR)
- Tiradentes
- Toledo/Ouro Verde
- UDA
- União (RN)
- Vila Nova (ES)
- Vitória
The Campeonato Brasileiro de Futebol Feminino Série A2 final was played between Minas/ICESP and Vitória.
Minas/ICESP won the league after defeating Vitória.
Promotion
The two best placed teams, Minas/ICESP and Vitória, were promoted to the following year's first level.
Domestic competition champions
| State | Champions |
|---|---|
| Acre |
Atlético Acreano |
| Alagoas |
UDA |
| Amapá |
Oratório |
| Amazonas |
Iranduba |
| Bahia |
Vitória |
| Ceará |
Ceará |
| Distrito Federal |
Minas/ICESP |
| Espírito Santo |
Vila Nova |
| Goiás |
Aliança |
| Maranhão |
Santa Quitéria |
| Mato Grosso |
Operário Ltda |
| Mato Grosso do Sul |
Moreninhas |
| Minas Gerais |
América Mineiro |
| Pará |
ESMAC |
| Paraíba |
Botafogo |
| Paraná |
Foz Cataratas |
| Pernambuco |
Sport |
| Piauí |
Tiradentes |
| Rio de Janeiro |
Flamengo/Marinha |
| Rio Grande do Norte |
Cruzeiro |
| Rio Grande do Sul |
Grêmio |
| Rondônia |
Porto Velho |
| Roraima |
São Raimundo |
| Santa Catarina |
Kindermann |
| São Paulo |
Santos |
| Sergipe |
Canindé |
| Tocantins |
São Valério |
Brazilian clubs in international competitions
| Team | 2018 Copa Libertadores Femenina |
|---|---|
| Audax | Eliminated in the Group Stage |
| Iranduba | Third place defeated Colo-Colo |
| Santos | Runners-up lost to Atlético Huila |