Ceará SC held to goalless draw, on track for Série A return

Ceará Sporting Club were held to a 0-0 draw by Athletic/MG on Monday, July 13, 2026, in the 17th round of the Brazilian Série B championship. The point lifted the People’s Team to 18 points in the competition as they push for promotion back to the Brasileirão.

The match took place at PV, Athletic/MG’s ground, and produced few clear chances. Ceará return to action this Friday, July 17, at 7 p.m. against América/MG at Independência in the penultimate round of the first half of the season.

What happened in the match?

Early pressure came at 28 minutes when Melk collected on the right wing, skipped past his marker and fired a low cross that Luan Polli pushed away. In the second half, Bryan Borges tested from outside the box at 8 minutes, but his effort sailed wide.

Vina replaced Juan Alano at 14 minutes and nearly made an instant impact: his free kick clipped the post. He then delivered a corner that Eder headed just over. At 24 minutes, Vina swung another dangerous cross and Mugni rose to meet it, but the header lacked power.

The deadlock held until the final whistle as Daniel Paulista’s side pushed for a winner. Substitutes injected energy, yet Athletic/MG’s organized block under Alex de Souza kept Ceará at bay.

Why the draw matters for Ceará SC

The point keeps Ceará Sporting Club in the promotion hunt in Série B. With 18 points, the team remains in the mix for direct return to the Brasileirão despite two matches without a win. Balanced results show consistency, yet the lack of goals raises questions.

Friday’s clash with América/MG looms large. A victory would keep the team in the automatic spots or at least in the promotion places. Pressure is rising, but the squad stays confident under Daniel Paulista.

What’s next for Ceará SC?

Ceará return to action on Friday, July 17, at 7 p.m. against América/MG at Independência in the penultimate round of the first half. The result could set the tone for the run-in to promotion.

Daniel Paulista is expected to make changes to secure three points. Fans who packed PV on Monday will demand a more incisive display. The People’s Team cannot afford slip-ups in the next fixtures if they are to seal their return to the top flight.