How did Lula beat Bolsonaro after losing Brazil’s first-round election?

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has achieved a stunning election victory, defeating far-right rival Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, despite trailing him by more than two million votes in the first round held earlier in October.

The 80-year-old leftist secured an unprecedented fourth term on Sunday, becoming the first candidate since Brazil’s return to democracy in 1985 to win a presidential run-off after finishing second in the opening round.
“I just had to tell you that I love you. Tomorrow, the fight continues,” Lula told cheering fans at a victory parade in Sao Paulo. “No one is required to like the president-elect, but he must govern for everyone.”

Lula’s victory is a significant setback for the right-wing political movement that has gained ground across Latin America, often with the backing of United States President Donald Trump.

So how did Lula turn things around in just three weeks, and what challenges does he face?

What was the result?
Lula, who turns 81 on Tuesday, secured 51.79 percent of valid votes, or 64.26 million ballots, compared with Bolsonaro’s 48.21 percent, or 59.83 million votes, according to the final tally.