Analysis The numbers behind the result
Bahia edge Mirassol despite penalty drama
The result was deserved given Bahia's superior attacking threat, reflected in their 3.22 expected goals (xG) compared to Mirassol's 1.89. Bahia's 53% possession translated into 16 total shots, with 12 coming from inside the box — double Mirassol's six efforts from close range. Despite only two shots on target, Bahia's pressure told when Luciano converted a 38th-minute penalty, awarded after a VAR review.
Mirassol struggled to create clear chances, managing just two shots on target and 10 total attempts. Their late penalty, converted in the 94th minute, offered hope, but Reinaldo's miss summed up a disjointed display. Bahia's six corners to Mirassol's two further underlined their dominance in advanced areas.
The decisive statistic was Bahia's higher xG (3.22 vs 1.89), which highlighted their greater attacking efficiency despite a narrow scoreline. Mirassol's defensive indiscipline — four yellow cards — also proved costly in a tight contest.