Corinthians let two-goal lead slip, Fluminense grab late draw

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Central do Timão

·21. Februar 2026

Corinthians let two-goal lead slip, Fluminense grab late draw

By Fabio Luigi / Central do Timão Editorial Team

On Friday night (20th), Corinthians hosted Fluminense at the Neo Química Arena in a match valid for the second round of the first phase of the Brazilian Women's Championship and drew 2-2. The Brabas’ goals were scored by forwards Belén Aquino and Jaqueline in the first half. With this result, the Corinthians team now has four points – three goals scored and two conceded, provisionally in third place.

Goalkeeper Nicole, with last-minute shoulder discomfort, was replaced by Rillary. Thus, the young Ana Morganti went to the bench. With this, coach Lucas Piccinato lined up the following team to start the match: Rillary; Gi Fernandes (Letícia Teles), Erika, Thais Ferreira, and Tamires; Dayana Rodríguez (Vic Albuquerque), Duda Sampaio, and Letícia Monteiro (Ivana Fuso); Belén Aquino, Jaqueline (Andressa Alves), and Gabi Zanotti (Ariel Godoi).

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Photo: Pedro Henrique/Timão Delas

The substitutes’ bench included: Ana Morganti, Letícia Teles, Rafa Rocha, Andressa Alves, Vic Albuquerque, Paola García, Ivana Fuso, Ariel Godoi, Gisela Robledo, Jhonson, Carol Nogueira, and Rhaizza.

Fluminense Starting Lineup

Coach Saulo Silva started the match with: Kemelli; Gislaine, Cotrim, and Anny; Sorriso, Karina, Raquel, Sochor, Kekê; Kamilla, and Lelê. The substitutes were: Letícia Bussafatto, Sophia, Nath Rodrigues, Tatá, Bruna Pelé, Xerife, Driely, Louvain, and Kaline.

Refereeing

The referee was Francielly Fernanda Lima de Castro (MG), assisted by Juliana Vicentin Esteves (SP) and Anna Beatriz Scagnolato (SP). The fourth official was Jessica Aparecida Milani (SP). This stage of the competition does not have VAR.

Next Fixture

After facing Fluminense in Itaquera for the second round of the national tournament, Corinthians will face Palmeiras next Friday (March 13), at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), at Arena Barueri. The match will be valid for the third round of the Brazilian Championship.

First Half

The first minutes of the first half between Corinthians and Fluminense saw the Corinthians team putting pressure on the Carioca team’s defensive field. In the very first minute, Tamires took a corner from the left and forward Jaqueline headed the ball into goalkeeper Kemelli’s hands. After six minutes, Piccinato’s team was completely dominating the game and pinning the Cariocas back in their own half.

At seven minutes, the first goal for the Brabas! Gi Fernandes received the ball on the right and crossed into the box, Fluminense’s defense cleared it. At the edge of the area, Duda Sampaio picked up the rebound and played it to Zanotti. Number 10 slightly deflected the ball, which landed at Belén Aquino’s feet, who finished across goal to score the first for the Alvinegro! Score: Corinthians Women 1 x 0 Fluminense!

Three minutes later, midfielder Duda Sampaio took a strong free kick towards Kemelli’s goal, who made the save in the middle of the goal. At 15 minutes, Corinthians stole the ball from Fluminense with Zanotti in the build-up and Belén Aquino, on the right, crossed into the box, but the offensive action was blocked by the Carioca defense.

Shortly after, Fluminense launched a counterattack. The Carioca player got past Tamires, but defender Thais Ferreira blocked the offensive move. Returning the counterattack, Corinthians’ second goal! Duda Sampaio played Dayana Rodríguez to the byline and number 31 crossed, but the defense cleared. On the rebound, Zanotti shot, Kemelli saved, and on another rebound, Jaqueline extended the lead for the Parque São Jorge club! Score: Corinthians 2 x 0 Fluminense!

After opening the scoring, Corinthians maintained control of the game and Fluminense, in turn, struggled to keep possession. Shortly after, right-back Gi Fernandes was fouled in midfield and ended up being replaced by defender Letícia Teles around the 30th minute. At 33 minutes, the Carioca team stole the ball in midfield and Sochor was played in. Number 10 saw Rillary off her line and scored a beautiful goal. Score: Corinthians 2 x 1 Fluminense.

After cutting the deficit, the Carioca team started to find their rhythm in the match and trouble Corinthians. At 38, Letícia Teles made a mistake in the build-up and Fluminense, attacking down the right, had a shot blocked by the Corinthians defense. In response, the Alvinegro launched a deep counterattack with Belén Aquino and won a corner. From the set piece, Gabi Zanotti took a tight shot at the near post and almost scored the third for Timão, but Kemelli cleared it!

At 44 minutes, Fluminense made a mistake in the build-up in midfield, Letícia Monteiro anticipated the play and sent Belén Aquino through on goal. The Uruguayan beat Karina for pace and was about to go one-on-one with Kemelli, but was brought down by Fluminense’s number 8, who ended up being sent off for being the last defender. From the resulting free kick, Gabi Zanotti hit the crossbar!

When the clock hit 45 minutes, the referee added four minutes. At 49, end of the first half! Score: Corinthians 2 x 1 Fluminense.

Second Half

To start the second half, coach Lucas Piccinato made no changes. The first minutes of the final period saw the Brabas dictating play and applying pressure similar to the start of the first half. Eleven minutes into the half, the Parque São Jorge club controlled the match, but had yet to pose a real threat to Kemelli’s goal.

Soon after, the first three changes for Corinthians: midfielders Andressa Alves and Vic Albuquerque, as well as forward Ivana Fuso, came on for Jaqueline, Dayana Rodríguez, and Letícia Monteiro, respectively. At 15 minutes, in her first play, Andressa Alves received the ball in midfield and shot into Kemelli’s hands.

With almost half of the second half gone, neither team had created much danger, but Corinthians remained dominant, occupying the attacking half. At 22, Gabi Zanotti received the ball in midfield and tried a long-range shot, forcing Kemelli to palm it away! Two minutes later, Belén Aquino received near the edge of the area and was brought down, with the foul being called.

From the free kick, Andressa Alves shot into Kemelli’s hands. Next, Zanotti received the ball wide on the left, cut inside onto her right foot, and crossed tightly, but the ball went straight out for a goal kick. Subsequently, Corinthians resumed pressing in attack and won a corner. From the set piece, Duda Sampaio took a near-post corner and the ball almost caught the Fluminense goalkeeper off guard, but she made the save without trouble.

At 33 minutes of the final period, the last change for the Brabas: midfielder Gabi Zanotti left the field for forward Ariel Godoi. In the first of the last ten minutes, Corinthians adopted a more measured approach, not forcing as many attacking plays. Fluminense, with one player less since the end of the first half, was waiting for a possible counterattack.

At 39 minutes, Andressa Alves received the ball in midfield, saw Kemelli off her line, and fired a powerful shot off the crossbar! Next, the Brabas tried to counterattack with Andressa Alves, the play went left with Tamires, Vic Albuquerque, and Ivana Fuso, but the potential dangerous move was blocked by the Carioca defense.

When the clock hit 45 minutes, five minutes were added. In the last play of the game, goalkeeper Rillary received a back pass and ended up slipping, Bruna Pelé took advantage of the mistake and tied the game. Score: Corinthians 2 x 2 Fluminense.

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