Corinthians keeper eyes Copa do Brasil final, on Gabigol penalty save

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Central do Timão

·17. Dezember 2025

Corinthians keeper eyes Copa do Brasil final, on Gabigol penalty save

By Fabio Luigi / Central do Timão Editorial Team

On the night of last Sunday (14), Corinthians defeated Cruzeiro at Neo Química Arena in a penalty shootout, 5 x 4, after being beaten 2 x 1 in regular time, and qualified for the 2025 Copa do Brasil final. The Alvinegro will face Vasco this Wednesday (21), at 6pm (Brasília time).

In an interview with the press in the mixed zone, right after the final whistle, goalkeeper Hugo Souza, who saved two penalty kicks and helped put Alvinegro in the final, revealed what went on behind the scenes during the team talk when the match went to penalties. In the team huddle, the number 1 assured everyone he would save two penalties.

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Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Corinthians Agency

The Corinthians goalkeeper also gave his assessment of the match. According to him, Alvinegro created chances to decide the qualification for the final during the 90 minutes, which ultimately was not possible. Hugo also mentioned the shots that hit the post of goalkeeper Cássio, one of them by left-back Matheus Bidu, when the score was 2 x 1.

“Man, when the game ends, I’ll say it again, I didn’t want it to be this way. We played a good game, especially in the second half, we had the opportunity, we hit the post, so we had the chance to win the game during the 90 minutes. But God wanted it to be this way. I’m very attached to my faith, very attached to God, very attached to His fans, and I believe that if He wanted it this way, amen to that.”

“When the game ended, I went over and had a conversation with Lucas (Silvestre, assistant coach), who is Dorival’s son, and he said, ‘There comes a time when we need you, and you’re a guy that, when we need you, you show up, but if it goes to penalties, take responsibility because that will give the group confidence.’ I told him: ‘You can count on me.’ And when the game ended, we gathered everyone in a huddle, and I said: Guys, go there and score your penalty because I’m going to save two. I usually say this isn’t arrogance, maybe a bit of self-confidence, but I prophesied to God about my own life right there. So, I put it in God’s hands and said: ‘Lord, this is my will, and if it’s yours, make it happen too.’ Thanks to Him, I’m very happy today and we managed to qualify,” he began.

Against Cruzeiro, Hugo Souza reached ten penalties saved wearing the Corinthians shirt, becoming the fourth goalkeeper with the most penalty saves in the history of the club from Parque São Jorge. As such, he was asked which of those saves was the most special: RB Bragantino (2024 Copa Sudamericana round of 16), Palmeiras (2025 Paulista final).

“Man, they’re different scenarios, different contexts, and each with its own importance. I think the one in the Paulista final is very important, but today also allows us to dream big, allows us to reach the final of a huge competition and can make a year that was turbulent for us end in a heroic way, and that’s what we’re going to pursue. It’s about giving joy to our fans, who deserve it so much, to celebrate a big title like the Copa do Brasil again.”

One of the two penalties Hugo Souza saved against Cruzeiro was from striker Gabriel Barbosa, with whom he played at Flamengo between 2019 and 2022, where they won several titles together. He revealed that, when studying the penalty takers of the Minas Gerais team, he didn’t even want to watch the number 9’s kicks, since he already knew him from their time at Flamengo.

“For sure. I preferred not to watch Gabriel’s penalties. He’s a guy I’ve known for many years, we’ve trained together since 2019. When he arrived at Flamengo, I was already there and we always trained together. He probably knows this, but if there’s a guy who has saved his penalties in training, it’s me. So, I preferred not to watch the videos, I went with my gut, I went with what I believed. I came in with a strategy to save his penalty, changed the strategy and thank God it worked. He’s a great player, a friend I have in football. So, I want to congratulate him for the career he’s built. He’s someone I respect a lot, but I’m there to defend my shirt, I ended up being happy and I’m very happy not only to have saved his, but also the second one (from Wallace), which got us the qualification.”

The goalkeeper was asked if he spoke with Cássio, considered one of the greatest idols in Corinthians’ history and who now plays for Cruzeiro, after the match. The former Corinthians number 12 won nine titles in 12 seasons with the club, as well as playing 712 games (the second most appearances in the club’s history).

“Actually, I didn’t have any conversation with him, we just hugged before the penalties and at the end as well. He congratulated me and I congratulated him too. He’s a guy I have great affection and respect for, because of what he achieved wearing the shirt I wear today. I said this in the press conference that Maycon and I gave: ‘I’m in a place that I think will always be his, he earned that. So I just want to build my own story, just want to do what I have to do, without comparing myself to anyone, step by step, day by day. But I’m someone who respects his journey a lot, and I was already very happy to leave here as a winner, not because of this duel between me and him, because that doesn’t exist, but because we needed and deserved this final,” he continued.

Later, Corinthians’ number 1 spoke about the motto “Jesus in the Boat,” present in the Bible: “I’m a guy whose whole upbringing is Christian, right? My mother is a pastor, I was raised in the church, raised in the gospel. I understand, I carry with me that everything that happens in my life is permitted by God. What happens in my life, good or bad, is permitted by God. I make a point of showing this every time I can. ‘Jesus is in the boat’ is a Bible passage I love, right? And with Him in the boat, no matter what storm comes, if He’s in charge, it will calm down at some point and I’ll be able to cross. So, I’m very attached to that. If it weren’t for Christ in my life, I wouldn’t be here. I’m very grateful for the teachings I received throughout my life, from my mother and my father, and all my upbringing, which formed my faith, and it remains unshakable, remains flawless, because without Jesus we are nothing.”

Finally, the number 1 commented on his expectations for the Copa do Brasil final. On the night of this Wednesday (17), at 9:30pm (Brasília time), Alvinegro hosts Vasco da Gama for the first leg of the final. To reach the final, the club from Parque São Jorge eliminated Novorizontino (third round), Palmeiras (round of 16), Athletico (quarterfinals), and Cruzeiro (semifinal). In total, there were eight games, seven wins and only one loss, with 10 goals scored and two conceded.

“Our team knows how to handle this (turning the page). Our team has become very mature, because of everything we’ve been through not only this year, but also last year. Everything we’ve built. A year of many ups and downs, a lot of hits, and we put all that aside so we could reach this final, we’re going to chase our dream, give this joy to the fans, we’re closer than before. Now it’s about turning the page and knowing we need to play two much better games than now so we can go after this title.”

“We know we have to do our best, understanding that our best is what will get us closer to winning this title and that’s what we’re going to pursue, respecting whichever opponent comes, they’re two qualified teams (Fluminense and Vasco), giants,” he concluded.

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