Criciúma vence Concórdia 3 a 1 e sobe para vice-líder

Criciúma confirmed its status as a title contender in the early stages of the Campeonato Catarinense with a 3-1 victory over Concórdia at Heriberto Hülse in the fourth round on January 19, 2026. The win moved the Tigre to seven points and into the vice-leadership of Group B, an important boost as the state campaign takes shape.

Diego Gonçalves opened the scoring for Criciúma, and goals from Nicolas and Jhonata Robert put clear daylight between the teams. Concórdia managed a response through Luiz Philippe, who reduced the deficit, but the visitors could not regain control of the match. The three scorers for Criciúma illustrated offensive variety rather than reliance on a single striker, a valuable trait in a compressed schedule where depth and rotation matter.

On the field, Criciúma balanced attacking intent with enough defensive solidity to prevent a full comeback. The goal distribution shows a squad capable of creating chances through different channels, and the result at Heriberto Hülse underlines the advantage of a settled game plan executed at home. Concórdia, meanwhile, will rue missed opportunities to stem the flow in midfield and find more sustained pressure in the attacking third.

Beyond the immediate result, the victory has broader implications for both club and community. For Criciúma, moving into the top two of Group B enhances commercial and sporting momentum: stronger league standing typically translates into higher visibility for sponsors, better ticket demand, and more bargaining power in the transfer market should interest arise in standout performers. For players like Diego Gonçalves, Nicolas, and Jhonata Robert, the state championship continues to be a showcase where strong outings can catalyze career moves or greater roles within the squad.

Culturally, wins at Heriberto Hülse carry weight in Criciúma, where the Tigre identity remains a potent rallying point for fans and the wider region. State competitions like the Campeonato Catarinense serve as communal occasions that stimulate local economies through matchday activity and keep regional rivalries lively early in the calendar year.

Looking ahead, Criciúma will aim to consolidate its vice-leader spot as the group stage progresses, translating this positive run into consistency. For supporters, the result means renewed optimism; for the club, it presents an opportunity to turn early momentum into lasting advantage in the state championship.