Brazil's Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro trade barbs in 1st debate only days before presidential runoff

SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro faced off Sunday for the first time in a debate, only days before their Oct. 25 runoff election for the country's top job. They exchanged barbs, accusations and insults in a tense broadcast on Band TV that lasted about two hours.

Analysts who expected the incumbent and the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro to reach out to the few undecided voters were left disappointed. Their heated exchanges, which often included some of their family members as a topic, were sometimes inaudible, with little discussion about their plans for the future.

Flávio Bolsonaro won the first round of voting in the presidential election by 47% to 45%, and recent polls suggest he and Lula, who is seeking his fourth nonconsecutive term, are in a very close race.

The winner will be in charge of Latin America’s biggest economy and a population of 214 million. A win for Bolsonaro would increase U.S. influence in Latin America, as he is an ally of U.S. President Donald Trump. If Lula wins, Brazil will keep its distance from Washington and continue to deepen its relationship with China.

Bolsonaro said Brazil's economy will improve just by removing Lula from office and fighting corruption, while the 80-year-old leader defended his record and welfare initiatives.

The most tense moment of the debate came when Lula challenged Bolsonaro for both of them to open their personal finances to scrutiny so authorities can tell before the runoff if they have suspicious transactions to explain.

Earlier, tens of thousands of supporters for the candidates took to the streets of Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and other cities.

Bolsonaro and his supporters rallied on Sao Paulo's main artery, Paulista Avenue, with key allies in attendance. Many were also asking for the release of Jair Bolsonaro, who is serving a 27-year prison sentence for a coup attempt.

Lula supporters rallied in Rio's Copacabana Beach, Brasilia and 16 other state capitals.

Also on Sunday, Brazil’s federal police asked the country's Supreme Court to open an investigation against Flávio Bolsonaro over a money laundering accusation involving a lawyer close to him.

The 45-year-old is already under investigation for his links to Daniel Vorcaro, a disgraced former banker who financed a movie about Jair Bolsonaro's life.

Flávio Bolsonaro denies any wrongdoing in both cases.

Another presidential debate is scheduled for Friday on TV Globo, Brazil’s leading television network.

Follow AP’s coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america

Supporters of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who is running for reelection, watch singer Caetano Veloso perform during a rally one week before the presidential runoff election in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)

Supporters of opposition presidential candidate Sen. Flavio Bolsonaro attend his campaign rally, as they release yellow smoke flares in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

Opposition presidential candidate Sen. Flavio Bolsonaro, left, gestures as he speaks to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva during a televised presidential debate one week before the presidential runoff election in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, left, who is running for reelection, gestures as he speaks to opposition presidential candidate Sen. Flavio Bolsonaro during a televised presidential debate one week before the presidential runoff election in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys know they've dug themselves a hole with their slow start.

The Cowboys (2-4) believe they still have what it takes to turn things around.

“We’ve just got to go get a win," Prescott said after the Cowboys' 23-13 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night. "That’s the only way to work our way out of this hole and get momentum going and just to get the confidence and rolling on both sides of the ball, special teams included. We need some good momentum, and the only way to do it is to get a win.”

On a night when the Cowboys’ beleaguered defense finally showed signs of life, their star-studded offense let them down.

Prescott threw two interceptions on back-to-back drives to thwart scoring opportunities in the second quarter. The Cowboys were scoreless in a first half for the first time since Nov. 7, 2021, when they trailed 16-0 at the half of a 30-16 loss to Denver.

Prescott went 34 of 54 for 258 yards. His only touchdown pass – a 6-yarder to Ryan Flournoy – came with 44 seconds left in the game.

“I didn’t plan on coming to this game and throw it 54 times,” Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said. “That wasn’t the plan. That’s not a good recipe against this defense that’s been down against the run and pretty good against the pass. So, that wasn’t a good recipe for us. But that’s the way the game turned out.”

The Cowboys trailed 7-0 and faced second-and-8 from Green Bay’s 17 when Prescott took a big hit from Zaire Franklin. On the next play, Evan Williams intercepted Prescott's pass that was intended for CeeDee Lamb.

Dallas trailed 10-0 on its next possession and had first-and-15 from Green Bay’s 28 when Lamb fell on a route, enabling Packers rookie Brandon Cisse to make his first career interception.

“Only leaving the game with 13 points — one of the touchdowns came in trying-to-make-something-happen time, very frustrating,” Prescott said. “But we’ve got to fix it, and all the guys in that locker room are capable of it.”

Dallas’ problems on offense were particularly disappointing because its defense responded to adversity Sunday after struggling all season. The defense’s performance offered at least one reason for hope that the Cowboys can still turn things around, particularly because nobody has stood out in the NFC East so far.

The Cowboys entered this game allowing a league-high 6.4 yards per play and searching for answers after an embarrassing 24-16 home loss to the previously winless Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Dallas’ defense held a players-only meeting to discuss how to improve. The Cowboys also brought in veteran defensive assistant Mike Pettine in the days leading up to this game to help out first-year defensive coordinator Christian Parker.

Pettine was Green Bay’s defensive coordinator from 2018-20. Parker was a defensive quality control coach with the Packers from 2019-20.

Dallas’ defense responded, though it got some help when three potential touchdown passes by Green Bay’s Jordan Love were dropped — two by Matthew Golden and one from Christian Watson.

Green Bay took the lead for good with a 90-yard touchdown drive on its opening possession, but Dallas’ defense stiffened from there and produced a number of big plays.

Dee Winters got the Cowboys’ first interception of the season when he made a diving catch in front of Golden late in the first quarter. Winters then got up and weaved between multiple defenders to run over 40 yards for an apparent touchdown, but a replay review determined he was touched by Golden while still on the ground.

Quinnen Williams stopped Pierre Strong Jr. for a 1-yard loss when Green Bay had second-and-goal at the 1 in the second quarter. Malik Hooker then made an open-field tackle after Tucker Kraft caught a pass on third-and-goal, causing the Packers to settle for Trey Smack's 25-yard field goal.

Kenny Clark, who spent his first nine NFL seasons in Green Bay, got his first sack of the season in his return to Lambeau Field.

“We’re making strides, but we’re not where we want to be," cornerback DaRon Bland said of the defense's performance.

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

Dallas Cowboys' Dak Prescott reacts after being hit during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers in Green Bay, Wis., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Huh)

Green Bay Packers' Lukas van Ness stopos Dallas Cowboys' Dak Prescott during the second half of an NFL football game in Green Bay, Wis., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Huh)

Green Bay Packers' Evan Williams stops Dallas Cowboys' Dak Prescott during the second half of an NFL football game in Green Bay, Wis., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

Green Bay Packers' Evan Williams stops Dallas Cowboys' Dak Prescott during the second half of an NFL football game in Green Bay, Wis., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)