ORLANDO, Fla. – Sao Paulo FC claimed the championship in the 2017 Florida Cup Playoff after earning a 4-3 victory in a penalty shootout against fellow Brazilian club SC Corinthians Paulista after the two sides had played to a 0-0 draw at Bright House Networks Stadium on Saturday night. Sidney Aparecido was again the hero for Sao Paulo as he recorded a pair of saves in the shootout to earn victory against its Clássico Majestoso rivals.

Aparecido had helped Sao Paulo to a shootout victory on Thursday night against Argentinian side River Plate, and opened the shootout on Saturday evening by denying Corinthians’ Fellipe Bastos. Sao Paulo held onto its advantage as Joao Schmidt and Cicero both converted to make it 2-1 after two rounds, and Aparecido produced another save to open the third round from Corinthians’ Marciel.

With the pressure firmly on for a response, Corinthians goalkeeper Cassio produced a save to match in the third round, but goals by Junior Tavares and Gilberto in the fourth and fifth round wrapped up victory for Sao Paulo in front of the enthusiastic crowd that was on hand.

Both sides found half-chances in the opening 15 minutes, and Sao Paulo almost took the lead when a low cross by Brazilian international Rodrigo Caio from the right found Luiz Araujo in the center. His back-heel flick sent the ball on toward Buffarini, but a trailing defender cleared behind for a corner kick.

The game then saw a major flashpoint as Corinthians forward Marquinhos Gabriel brought down Sao Paulo defender Bruno as they chased for a through-ball. The collision brought the two sides together, and ended up with both reduced to 10 men as Corinthians’ Colin Kazim-Richards and Sao Paulo’s Maicon were both sent off.

Sao Paulo had the better of the remainder of the half, and saw Wellington Nem fire over the crossbar from 25 yards out in first-half stoppage time, but was unable to find a way through a resolute Corinthians defense as the game remained scoreless at halftime.

The pattern continued in the second half, when Sao Paulo went close through chances for Thiago Mendes and Cueva, and Corinthians through Marlone after a good piece of play by Fellipe Bastos.

Romero also had a chance that he squandered moments after coming on midway through the second half for Corinthians, while Gilberto’s free header for Sao Paulo from Buffarini’s cross with 11 minutes to go almost provided what would have been the winner.

As it had two nights prior in St. Petersburg, however, Sao Paulo took victory in the shootout as Aparecido again came through, this time to bring home the trophy.