Lula won on points.

The PT candidate was far from delivering a flawless performance -- he was even verbose and rambling at times -- and, in the third and final part, he lost control of his own time, allowing Bolsonaro to give a five-minute speech without interruption or a break.

Lula's advantage can be explained by his assertive demeanor in the first two segments, while Bolsonaro made disjointed moves to avoid well-aimed criticism from his opponent.

A survey by the Quaest institute says that Lula performed better -- 43% to 39% -- in the first segment, crushed his opponent in the second -- 46% to 34% -- and ended up being overwhelmed in the third, when he lost by 51% to 39%, when Bolsonaro was given the right to a 5-minute speech.

By vetoing any mention of Bolsonaro's indecent reference to Venezuelan girls ("it created a certain atmosphere"), TSE (Superior Electoral Court) minister Alexandre Moraes established prior censorship that prevented a likely moral knockout for a candidate who won the gold medal for hypocrisy when he complained that Lula was trying to attack what he considers most "sacred, the defense of families and children."  

As if he believed the fake news he spread during the COVID-19 pandemic, Bolsonaro repeated statements typical of the political rhetoric of Professor Damares ("Brazil was one of the countries that vaccinated the most people in the world").

In a gesture expressing growing political isolation, evidenced by the increasing number of supporters of his adversary, Bolsonaro attempted to give the meeting a casual, bar-like atmosphere. At one point, he approached Lula in the center of the stage, mimicking a gesture of placing his hand on Lula's shoulder, as if they were friends and accomplices in the national catastrophe affecting 215 million Brazilians.

It was ultimately repelled by a swift reaction from Lula, typical of someone who respects the pain and suffering that Bolsonaro's policies have caused the country. 

It is likely that, in the coming days, Bolsonaro's weakening will translate into unexpected new endorsements for Lula. The most recent support came from João Amoêdo, of the Novo Party, one of the parties of chic neoliberalism, which until recently was supporting Bolsonaro.

Following yesterday's debate, more people will join Lula's ranks. His importance in transferring votes can be debated. But there's no doubt that his close ties to Bolsonaro are already harming those who only care about their own reputation.

Any questions?