The Battle of Aflitos was one of the most iconic and unforgettable matches in Brazilian football history. On November 26, 2005, at the Aflitos Stadium in Recife, Náutico and Grêmio played an epic game in the final round of the Série B of the Brazilian Championship.
Follow along to relive this historic match and everything surrounding it.
Follow us on social networks to stay updated on the latest foreign football news: Instagram, Facebook e Twitter.
Index
The Battle of Aflitos
Pre-Match Context
In the last round of Série B, Náutico and Grêmio faced off at a packed Aflitos Stadium in a decisive match to determine who would earn promotion to the top tier of Brazilian football.
The 2005 Série B was the last edition of the tournament before the introduction of the points-based system. It was played in three phases, with only two teams earning promotion. In the first phase, Grêmio finished fourth, while Náutico came seventh. In the second phase, split into two groups of four teams, Náutico topped their group while Grêmio finished second. Both teams advanced to the final round to decide the promoted sides.
Grêmio needed just a draw to secure promotion, while Náutico had to win, especially since Santa Cruz, playing simultaneously, defeated Portuguesa to clinch their spot in Série A.
Grêmio, relegated in 2004 after finishing last in Série A, was seeking redemption. Náutico, on the other hand, had been absent from the top tier since 1994.
Before the match, Grêmio had reasons to complain about the state of the locker rooms, which were small, freshly painted, and filled with a strong odor. Additionally, the locker room door was welded shut and locked with a padlock, preventing players from accessing the field for a pre-match inspection.
.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=3840&quality=60)
Photo: Ricardo Duarte/Agencia RBS
Náutico 0-1 Grêmio
The Battle of Aflitos is remembered for Grêmio’s dramatic victory in the dying moments, achieved despite finishing the match with only seven players on the field.
In the first half, Domingos fouled Paulo Matos in the penalty area at the 31-minute mark. However, Náutico’s Bruno Carvalho hit the post on the resulting penalty, squandering the chance to take the lead.
The match remained tense but relatively under control until midway through the second half. At the 30-minute mark, Escalona handled the ball, received his second yellow card, and was sent off.
Four minutes later, another handball, this time by Nunes in the Grêmio penalty area, led referee Djalma Beltrami to award a controversial penalty for Náutico. Grêmio players vehemently protested the decision, with the situation escalating when Patrício aggressively confronted the referee and was sent off. Amid the chaos, Nunes also received a red card for his involvement in the altercation.
Photo: Edison Vara/Revista Placar
With tensions boiling over, the referee called for police assistance. The situation spiraled further as club officials, substitutes, and others stormed the pitch, creating a chaotic scene. Amidst the turmoil, young Anderson—who would later become the hero of the match—voiced his frustration in an interview with Globo.
“The referee is ruining the game. The Brazilian Championship is a joke; everyone knows it. It’s always biased against teams from the South. It’s ridiculous,” he said.
The confusion continued, and Domingos was also sent off. After nearly 30 minutes of stoppage, play resumed, with Grêmio reduced to just seven players.
Náutico’s Ademar stepped up to take the penalty but struck it down the middle, where Galatto made a spectacular save with his feet, deflecting the ball out for a corner. Following the corner kick, Anderson launched a counterattack and was fouled by Batata, who received his second yellow card and was sent off.
From a quick free kick, Anderson sprinted down the left flank, entered the box, and scored past the goalkeeper, securing the victory.
The seven remaining Grêmio players held on for another eight minutes to secure promotion to Série A and the Série B title.
Legacy of the Match
Burdened with debts, lacking star players, and teetering on the brink of financial collapse, Grêmio’s return to Série A marked the start of a new chapter for the club. In the following years, re-established itself as a powerhouse in Brazilian football, finishing third in the 2006 Brasileirão and reaching the Copa Libertadores final in 2007.
The Battle of Aflitos is celebrated as one of the most dramatic and unbelievable matches in Brazilian football history, symbolizing resilience, drama, and remarkable twists. It remains etched in the memories of fans and football lovers everywhere.
Written by Henry Miller.
