Corinthians rely on home form v Cruzeiro to reach Copa do Brasil final

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Central do Timão

·13. Dezember 2025

Corinthians rely on home form v Cruzeiro to reach Copa do Brasil final

By Fabio Luigi / Central do Timão Editorial Team

Late this Sunday afternoon (14), Corinthians faces Cruzeiro at the Neo Química Arena in the second leg of the 2025 Copa do Brasil semifinals. The Alvinegro only needs a draw to advance to the final, as they won the first match 1-0 last Wednesday (10) at Mineirão Stadium.

Thus, Corinthians relies on a positive record against Cruzeiro in Itaquera to reach another final in the competition. Since 2014, the year the Arena was inaugurated, there have been 10 matches between the teams at the stadium, with six Corinthians wins, two draws, and two losses—16 goals scored and nine conceded.

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Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Agência Corinthians

Cruzeiro's last victory at the Neo Química Arena was on October 19, 2019, during the 27th round of that year's Brazilian Championship, with a 2-1 score. On that day, right-back Fagner opened the scoring. However, Fábio Carille's team saw Cruzeiro come from behind with goals from midfielder Éderson and striker Fred. In 2020, 2021, and 2022, the teams did not face each other, as the Minas Gerais team was in Série B.

Since then, Corinthians and Cruzeiro have faced each other three times at the venue, with two Corinthians wins and one draw. The first was in the opening round of the 2023 Brasileirão, with a 2-1 score. Last year, in the 34th round of the national tournament, the Alvinegro repeated the same score. This year, in the 16th round, the teams drew 0-0.

In addition to the advantage at Neo Química Arena, the historical record also favors Corinthians. In 97 matches between the teams in history, there have been 41 wins for the club from Parque São Jorge, 24 draws, and 32 losses—123 goals scored and 111 conceded. The first match between the two teams in history took place on November 1, 1940, at Pacaembu, ending with a 6-3 Corinthians victory.

In Copa do Brasil matches, there have been 13 games between the teams so far, with six Corinthians wins, two draws, and five losses—20 goals scored and 23 conceded. In the current edition of the tournament, the Alvinegro eliminated Novorizontino (third round), Palmeiras (round of 16), and Athletico-PR (quarterfinals)—nine goals scored and none conceded. Additionally, they have seven wins in seven games—100% success rate.

Corinthians is seeking its fourth Copa do Brasil title, 16 years after its third and last triumph (1995, 2002, and 2009). Since then, the Alvinegro has been runner-up twice (2018 and 2022) and a semifinalist twice (2023 and 2024).

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