Salvador's Arena Fonte Nova thundered Friday as Bahia clawed to Série B summit with a 3-1 demolition of Coritiba, goals from Everaldo (twice) and Thaciano flipping the script in a promotion dogfight now razor-thin. The 40,000 Tricolor faithful invaded streets post-whistle, flares lighting Pituba boulevards. "We're flying—Série A awaits!" bellowed fan Carlos Santos, 29, scarf aloft amid samba beats. Coritiba's late penalty from Léo Gamalho couldn't console a squad slipping to 8th.
Table turmoil: Bahia's 58 points edge Novorizontino's 57, with Amazonas' shock 2-0 over CRB shaking mid-pack. Coach Rogério Ceni: "Momentum's ours—every point a passport." In Curitiba, Coxa coach Alberto Valentim rued: "Self-inflicted wounds." Social scrolls surged—#SérieBAtualizada hit 200,000, memes mocking Coritiba's defense.
Economic kick: Ticket sales topped R$2 mi, boosting local bars 30%. Santos: "From B to glory—Salvador dreams big." Standings stir—race roars on.
