(MENAFN- The Rio Times) Brazil's top flight took center stage with São Paulo's authoritative away win and a record-attended draw at the Maracanã.

In Peru, Melgar claimed the Clásico del Sur, while the Copa Libertadores Femenina opened in Argentina with a heavyweight stalemate for Corinthians and a tense 0–0 between Boca and Alianza Lima.

Bolivia produced a hard-fought cup draw in Santa Cruz, Uruguay booked a semifinalist in its national cup, and Mexico landed a global industry award off the pitch. One correction from the earlier draft: GV San José vs Wilstermann (Oct 1) has been replaced with an Oct 2 item.
Here are 10 key developments from that day:
São Paulo win 2–0 away at Fortaleza (Brazil)
Key facts: Goals in each half gave São Paulo a clean, statement victory at Castelão in Round 26 of Série A.

Why picked: A composed road win resets SPFC's momentum and keeps the top-six chase tight.
Flamengo and Cruzeiro draw 0–0 before a record crowd (Brazil)
Key facts: The Maracanã listed roughly 67.8k paid (around 72.5k present) and gate receipts near R$5.8 million ($1.09 million) in a high-stakes scoreless draw.

Why picked: Elite audience and revenue underline Brazil's outsized pull-even on a night without goals.


Vitória edge Ceará 1–0 in Salvador (Brazil)
Key facts: Vitória struck on 19' and held firm at Barradão to bank three survival-race points.

Why picked: Bottom-half separation matters; home wins like this can decide who stays up.
Melgar beat Cienciano 2–0 in the Clásico del Sur (Peru)
Key facts: Second-half goals from Jhonny Vidales (48') and Nicolás Quagliata (66') settled the derby in Arequipa.

Why picked: Derby points plus goal-difference boost keep Melgar's Clausura ambitions alive.
Corinthians (women) held 1–1 by Dragonas Independiente del Valle (Libertadores Femenina)
Key facts: The defending champions conceded late and shared points in Group A at Banfield.

Why picked: A favorite dropping points on Day 1 jolts the group's seeding calculus.
Boca Juniors 0–0 Alianza Lima (Libertadores Femenina)
Key facts: A cagey opener in Morón ended scoreless in Group B; both sides rued missed late chances.

Why picked: Two big clubs split points-fine margins that may define qualification.
Oriente Petrolero 2–2 The Strongest (Copa División Profesional, Bolivia)
Key facts: Oriente twice led before El Tigre clawed back to draw in Santa Cruz.

Why picked: Group-stage parity tightens the pathway to Bolivia 's domestic cup knockout rounds.
Santa Fe thrash Always Ready 7–0 (Libertadores Femenina)
Key facts: The Bogota side exploded in their Group A debut with a seven-goal barrage, highlighted by Karla Viancha's brace.

Why picked: The biggest scoreline of opening day instantly reshapes goal-difference math and sends a contender's signal.
Defensor Sporting 2–0 Central Español-into Copa AUF Uruguay semifinals
Key facts: A professional 2–0 at the Franzini sent Defensor through to the last four of Uruguay's national cup.

Why picked: Semifinal berths are season-shaping for prize money, rotation, and morale.
Club América honored at World Football Summit (Mexico)
Key facts: América was named among WFS 2025 award winners for brand initiative, reflecting its off-field strategy pivot.

Why picked: Off-pitch recognition matters for sponsorship, global reach, and the Liga MX commercial arc.

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