Operário Ferroviário 2-2 Ceará: Late Erick Pulga goal seals dramatic Serie B draw

Operário Ferroviário and Ceará played out a 2-2 draw in the Brazilian Serie B at the Estádio Germano Krüger on September 27, 2026, in a match that swung one way and then the other. A late equalizer from Ceará denied the home side a victory that would have been celebrated as one of their best results of the season.

The draw leaves both clubs with plenty to reflect on. Operário Ferroviário showed resilience and attacking quality, while Ceará demonstrated the kind of persistence that keeps a promotion-chasing team alive deep into matches. Four goals, several momentum shifts, and a dramatic finish made it a compelling night in Ponta Grossa.

Match overview

Operário Ferroviário began the game on the front foot, pressing Ceará’s defenders and winning second balls in midfield. Their early pressure paid off with the opening goal, and for a period they looked the more likely side to add a second. Ceará, however, grew into the contest and equalized before half-time with a well-worked move down the right.

The second half was more open. Operário regained the lead with a composed finish inside the box, and they then tried to slow the game down. Ceará pushed more players forward in the final 20 minutes, and their patience was rewarded when Erick Pulga curled home a late equalizer. Operário had one final chance from a corner, but the ball was cleared away.

Key moments

• 18' – Operário 1-0: Vitinho received the ball on the edge of the box, shifted onto his left foot and fired low into the bottom corner.
• 39' – Ceará 1-1: Saulo Mineiro met a cross from the right with a powerful header that gave the Operário goalkeeper no chance.
• 67' – Operário 2-1: Rafael Oller controlled a clever pass inside the area and slotted a calm finish past the advancing goalkeeper.
• 89' – Ceará 2-2: Erick Pulga curled a shot from just outside the box into the far corner, silencing the home crowd and rescuing a point for Ceará.

Tactical story

Operário Ferroviário set up with a compact midfield and looked to spring forward through quick vertical passes. Their full-backs were aggressive in the first half, creating overloads on the flanks. Ceará initially struggled with that width, but their decision to press higher after the opening goal helped them regain control of possession.

In the second half, Ceará’s coach made attacking substitutions that stretched the home defense. Operário dropped deeper to protect their lead, which invited pressure and eventually led to the late equalizer. The home side will feel they should have managed the final minutes better, while Ceará will point to their persistence and the quality of Erick Pulga’s finish.

Standout players

Vitinho was lively for Operário Ferroviário, linking play and scoring the opening goal. Rafael Oller also impressed with his movement and finishing. For Ceará, Saulo Mineiro was a constant aerial threat, and Erick Pulga produced the moment of the match with his late equalizer. Both goalkeepers were busy, making important saves in a game that could easily have produced more goals.

Serie B table impact

The point keeps Ceará in the thick of the Brazilian Serie B promotion race, though they will know that dropping points against a mid-table opponent can prove costly over a long season. Operário Ferroviário add another hard-earned point to their campaign and continue to show they can compete with the division’s stronger clubs. The draw also highlights the fine margins in Serie B, where late goals often decide promotion and relegation battles.