Corinthians cruise into Women’s Brasileirão semi-finals | OneFootball

Corinthians are through to the semifinals of the Brazilian Women’s Championship. On Monday afternoon, the Brabas beat Cruzeiro once again, this time 3-1 at Estádio do Canindé, and secured qualification after also coming out on top in the first leg of the quarterfinals.

The Minas Gerais side took the lead early in the match, but the scenario quickly changed. Jhonson leveled it, Tamires turned the score around before halftime, and Thaís Ferreira extended the lead in the second half, sealing the Corinthians victory.

Photo: Cris Mattos/Corinthians

With the advantage built in the first match, when they won 1-0 at Arena Independência, Corinthians entered the field knowing a draw would be enough to advance. Despite conceding in the seventh minute, the Brabas reacted and controlled the match until securing their place.

Next match

With their spot secured, Corinthians remain in the hunt for their eighth Brazilian title. Their next opponent will be Bahia, who will face the Brabas in a series worth a place in the final. The first semifinal match will take place next week, but the CBF has yet to define the date, time, and venue of the clash. In the other semifinal, São Paulo and Ferroviária will compete for the second place in the final.

Corinthians lineup

Emily Lima had to deal with two absences for the match. Jaqueline was removed from the squad at the last minute due to chondropathy in her right knee. Ana Vitória also remained out while recovering from an abdominal muscle injury.

That way, Corinthians started the match with Nicole; Gi Fernandes, Thaís Regina, Érika, Thaís Ferreira and Tamires; Duda Sampaio and Gabi Zanotti; Vic Albuquerque, Belén Aquino and Jhonson.

On the bench, Emily Lima had Lelê, Rillary, Duda Mineira, Ivana Fuso, Paola Garcia, Andressa Alves, Ariel Godoi, Gisela Robledo and Juliete.

Cruzeiro lineup

Cruzeiro, coached by Jonas Urias, took the field with Claudia; Giménez, Capelinha, Calhau, Bedoya, Pri Back, Letícia Alves, Gisseli, Vanessinha, Marília Furiel and Byanca Brasil.

Refereeing

The match was officiated by Rejane Caetano da Silva. The assistant referees were Maria de Fátima Mendonça da Trindade and Patricia dos Reis do Nascimento, while Adeli Mara Monteiro served as the fourth official. The video referee was Rodrigo Batista Raposo.

First half

The start of the match brought few chances. Corinthians and Cruzeiro were cautious and spent the opening minutes trying to find space in the opposing defense.

The visitors, however, were the first to threaten. Byanca Brasil received the ball on the right and tried to send it into the box, but the Corinthians defense managed to clear.

Shortly afterward, Cruzeiro turned a set piece into a goal. In the seventh minute, Byanca Brasil took a free kick from midfield and, after a deflection inside the box, Marília Furiel was there to head in the rebound and put the Minas Gerais side ahead.

The goal did not unsettle Corinthians. The Brabas increased the pressure and began occupying the attacking half more frequently.

The first big chance for the black-and-whites came in the 13th minute. Gi Fernandes and Gabi Zanotti exchanged passes until the number 10 lifted the ball to Jhonson. The forward headed it and forced Claudia into an important save.

On the following corner, Jhonson threatened again, hitting the left post. On the rebound, Belén Aquino shot over the bar.

The pressure continued. In the 15th minute, Tamires found Duda Sampaio at the edge of the box, but the shot went wide to the left of the Cruzeiro goal.

Corinthians kept insisting mainly down the flanks and looked for crosses to take advantage of Jhonson and the other forwards inside the box.

The reward came in the 20th minute. Gabi Zanotti and Jhonson pressed Cruzeiro’s buildup, and possession ended up with Vic Albuquerque. The forward found Belén Aquino, who spotted Jhonson inside the box. The Corinthians player finished low to make it all square at Canindé.

Cruzeiro tried to respond immediately and won a corner on the left, but the Corinthians defense came out on top.

The Brabas maintained their attacking posture and continued hovering around the opposition box. In the 24th minute, Belén Aquino sent in a dangerous free kick, but no one managed to get on the end of it. Shortly after, Vic Albuquerque tried from outside the box, but missed the target.

The comeback came in the 28th minute and featured a decisive contribution from Jhonson. Gabi Zanotti received a long ball on the right and crossed to the forward, who dummied it and left Tamires in a great position. The full-back struck across goal and found Claudia’s left corner, scoring a fine goal and putting Corinthians ahead.

The Brabas nearly extended the lead right after that. A defensive mistake left Jhonson with space to advance into the box. She played it to Gabi Zanotti, who turned and hit a cross-shot that went just wide of the post.

Cruzeiro had more possession in the following minutes, but struggled to turn their attacking presence into clear chances.

The Minas Gerais side tried again in the air in the 43rd minute from a Byanca Brasil free kick. The defense cleared and, in the next play, Vanessinha attempted another cross, straight into Nicole’s hands.

In stoppage time, Corinthians still created two chances. First, Tamires took a corner and the loose ball fell to Duda Sampaio, who could not direct her shot. Then Belén Aquino tried from medium range and sent the ball over.

The first half ended with Corinthians leading 2-1.

Second half

The Brabas returned from the break still on the front foot. In the very first minute, Corinthians had a free kick on the right, but the rehearsed routine did not come off as planned and the Cruzeiro defense managed to clear.

The Minas Gerais side responded quickly. Marília Furiel received the ball inside the box and shot, but Nicole made the save.

Cruzeiro began to press more and had another good spell in the fifth minute. After a corner taken by Byanca Brasil, the Corinthians defense only partially cleared. The ball came back to the visitors, who kept insisting with aerial balls, but were neutralized again.

Two minutes later, Byanca Brasil tried her luck from outside the box and sent it close to the post. Right after that, the number 10 tried to find Marília Furiel, who nearly caught Nicole by surprise with a cross that ended up striking the right post.

Corinthians responded in the 12th minute. After another Cruzeiro corner, Tamires partially cleared and Vic Albuquerque completed the clearance. On the counterattack, Duda Sampaio drove through the middle and found Tamires on the left, who won another corner.

Belén Aquino’s delivery resulted in the third goal. Érika got a touch at the near post and, at the far post, Vic Albuquerque and Thaís Ferreira came in to finish the move. The defender was ultimately credited with the goal, extending the lead to 3-1.

Emily Lima took advantage of the moment to make her first substitutions. Andressa Alves and Gisela Robledo came on for Vic Albuquerque and Jhonson.

Even with the favorable scoreline, Corinthians kept creating chances. In the 20th minute, Gi Fernandes nearly scored after a well-worked move inside the box, but Calhau appeared practically on the line to prevent the fourth goal.

Cruzeiro only managed to threaten more often again in the 22nd minute, from a Capelinha free kick. The shot, however, went over the goal.

The black-and-white side had another opportunity in the 26th minute. Robledo received the ball on the left and was stopped by Claudia, who came out of her box to commit the foul. Belén Aquino took it and tried to put the ball into the area, but the defense cleared.

Soon after, the Uruguayan left the field to make way for Day Rodríguez.

Needing to cut the deficit, Cruzeiro increased the pressure late on. Vanessinha tried to create a move in the 32nd minute, but was blocked by the defense.

Shortly after, Marília Furiel wasted an important chance in the six-yard box by hitting it first time over the goal.

Corinthians also came close to scoring again in the 36th minute. Robledo received the ball in stride on the left and hit a cross-shot. Gi Fernandes tried to connect, but could not reach the ball the way she wanted.

In the closing minutes, Cruzeiro kept pushing for a second goal, but could not turn the pressure into truly dangerous opportunities.

In the 42nd minute, Emily Lima made another change, bringing on Ariel Godoi for Gabi Zanotti, who left the pitch to applause.

The Minas Gerais side still had a free kick in the 45th minute, taken by Rafa Levis. The attempt, however, was blocked by the Corinthians defense.

Cruzeiro kept insisting through stoppage time, but Corinthians managed to control their advantage and prevent any comeback.

The referee ended the match in the 50th minute, confirming the 3-1 win for the black-and-whites and the Brabas’ qualification for the semifinals of the Brazilian Women’s Championship.

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