Corinthians aim to level record v Argentine side in Libertadores | OneFootball

Corinthians return to the pitch this Thursday (20) at 9:30 p.m. Brasília time to decide their future in the Libertadores against Rosario Central. The match, to be played at Neo Química Arena, is worth a place in the quarterfinals and could also help even up the head-to-head history between the two clubs.

So far, Corinthians and Rosario Central have faced each other four times. Three of those matches were in the Libertadores, while the first meeting was a friendly. The record favors the Argentinians, who have two wins to Timão’s one, along with one draw.

Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Agência Corinthians

The first clash between the teams took place in 1957. On that occasion, the clubs met in a friendly at Pacaembu Stadium in São Paulo. Rosario Central won 2-1, and Baltazar scored Corinthians’ only goal.

It took nearly four decades for the teams to meet again. In 2000, they faced each other once more, this time in the Libertadores Round of 16. Coincidentally, that is the same stage as the current matchup.

In the first leg of that tie, played in Argentina, Corinthians were beaten 3-2. Luizão scored both goals for the Brazilian side and kept the team alive for the return leg.

In the second meeting, held at Pacaembu, Timão managed to return the 3-2 scoreline. Edílson found the net once, while Luizão scored the other two goals. As the result left the tie level on aggregate, the place in the next round was decided by a penalty shootout.

Corinthians came out on top 4-3 on penalties and secured a place in the quarterfinals. Later in that campaign, the team also got past Atlético-MG, but were eventually eliminated by Palmeiras in the semifinal, again in a penalty shootout.

Almost 26 years later, the clubs met again in the Libertadores. In the first leg of the 2026 Round of 16, played last Thursday (13) at the Gigante de Arroyito, neither team managed to find the net and the match ended in a 0-0 draw. Now, the scenario is simple for Corinthians. A win by any margin secures direct qualification to the next round. In the event of another draw, regardless of the score, the spot will be decided on penalties.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.