After winning 1-0 in Paraná, Corinthians defeated Athletico-PR 2-0 at Neo Química Arena this Wednesday (10th), and qualified for the semifinals of the Copa do Brasil.
The truth is, even if it wasn’t brilliant, Timão completely dominated the match in Itaquera and hardly faced any scares.
In the first half, Furacão even found the net, but the play was disallowed after a VAR review due to a foul by Kevin Viveros at the start of the move.
At the end of the first half, Gui Negão won the ball from Filipinho, dribbled past Aguirre, and set up Garro, who went past Santos and finished into the empty net.
With the lead on the scoreboard and in the tie, coach Dorival Júnior surprised everyone by taking off Memphis Depay in stoppage time of the first half.
According to journalist André Hernan from Prime Video, the Dutchman felt some muscle discomfort and preferred not to take any risks.
The second half was more exciting. Not because of the score, but because of the controversies with the refereeing.
Athletico-PR, for example, kept complaining about a penalty on Viveros.
Later, the red-and-black team was furious, demanding Vitinho be sent off for this tackle from behind on Dudu Kogitzki.
Corinthians, who had nothing to do with the controversies, extended their lead with Gui Negão, showing his striker’s instinct to capitalize on the scramble in the box.
Want more controversy? Here you go!
The referee called a handball on Matheuzinho, right on the edge of the box, after a cross from Léo Derick.
VAR called for a review, but referee Davi de Oliveira Lacerda confirmed the decision.
The problem was that Benavídez took the penalty, and Hugo Souza made the save.
With their spot secured, Timão pocketed another R$ 9.9 million in prize money from the CBF.
With the qualification, Corinthians now awaits the winner of Cruzeiro vs Atlético-MG (first leg 2-0) to find out their opponent in the semifinals.
On the other side of the bracket, Fluminense is already through after eliminating Bahia, and is waiting for Botafogo vs Vasco (first leg 1-1).
The CBF has announced that the semifinals will take place on December 10 and 14.
📸 Ricardo Moreira – 2025 Getty Images
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