Paulista Cup. Women
The Women's Paulista Cup is a premier regional tournament in São Paulo state, Brazil, featuring top women's clubs. It acts as a vital stage for advancing women's soccer in the country, blending fierce rivalry with groundwork for national and global competitions. The event highlights Brazil's surging enthusiasm for women's football, with São Paulo at the forefront in facilities and emerging talents.
History and foundation
Launched in 1997 by the state federation to boost women's soccer, the cup saw Corinthians emerge dominant since 2019, clinching multiple titles, including a thrilling 2023 final win over São Paulo (3:2). Fun fact: Palmeiras shocked everyone in 2001, halting underdog dominance. It's launched careers like Debinha, who shone here before joining Lyon, and Formiga, the iconic midfielder with a storied coaching legacy.
Tournament format
The format kicks off with 16 teams in four groups; top two from each advance to quarterfinals, followed by semis and a neutral-venue final. Matches span October to December, adhering to state mandates for equal airtime for women's games.
Interesting facts
Average goals per match hover at 2.8, spiking to 4 in playoffs. Top scorers include Geyse (Corinthians, 15 goals in 2022) and Victoria (Santos, 12 in 2021). Standouts: Andressinha's set-piece wizardry for São Paulo, Bia Zaneratto's firepower from Palmeiras with Chinese league experience, and prodigy Yasmin from Corinthians, a Golden Ball contender.