Corinthians end hoodoo, reach first Libertadores quarters at Neo Química | OneFootball

Corinthians put an end to a negative streak in decisive Conmebol Libertadores Round of 16 matches at Neo Química Arena. On the night of last Thursday (20), the Alvinegro beat Rosario Central-ARG 1-0 and, for the first time, secured qualification to the quarterfinals of the competition at home in this stage of the tournament.

The goal that changed the story was scored by Breno Bidon in the 35th minute of the second half. With one player fewer since Raniele’s red card, Timão managed to find the net in the closing stages and held on to the lead until the final whistle. As the first leg, played at Gigante de Arroyito Stadium, had ended in a 0-0 draw, the win in Itaquera secured the spot without the need for a penalty shootout.

Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Corinthians Agency

Before advancing against the Argentinians, Corinthians had played three Libertadores Round of 16 second-leg matches at Neo Química Arena. In all of them, against Guaraní-PAR, Nacional-URU, and Colo-Colo-CHI, the club ended up being eliminated, even though it won one of those matches.

The first attempt came in 2015. After losing 2-0 to Guaraní in Paraguay, the team coached by Tite needed to overturn the deficit in São Paulo. The comeback, however, did not happen. With Fábio Santos and Jadson sent off, Corinthians were beaten again, this time 1-0, and bowed out of the tournament.

A year later, the opponent was Nacional of Uruguay. After a goalless draw in the first meeting in Montevideo, the teams drew 2-2 at Neo Química Arena. At the time, the rules still used away goals as the tiebreaker, which sent the Uruguayans through.

The situation happened again in 2018. Corinthians lost the first meeting against Colo-Colo 1-0 in Chile and managed to win the return leg 2-1 in Itaquera. Despite the positive result, the goal conceded at home once again proved decisive under the old tiebreak rule, and the Chileans advanced to the quarterfinals.

The scenario was different in 2026. After the goalless draw in Rosario, Corinthians entered the second leg needing only a win to advance directly. This time, in addition to getting the result they needed, the Alvinegro kept a clean sheet and ended the run of Round of 16 eliminations decided at Neo Química Arena.

The qualification also puts Corinthians back among the final eight teams in the Libertadores. The club’s last appearance in the quarterfinals had come in 2022, when it eliminated Boca Juniors in the Round of 16 after two 0-0 draws and a 6-5 win on penalties at La Bombonera. In that edition, however, the second match of the tie was played in Argentina.

Now, the next obstacle for Corinthians in the search for their second continental title will once again be Argentine opposition. Their quarterfinal opponent will be Estudiantes. Unlike in the Round of 16, Timão will have the advantage of playing the second leg of the tie at Neo Química Arena.

Before turning its full attention back to the Libertadores, the club from Parque São Jorge is focusing on the second half of the Brazilian Championship. This Sunday (23), at 7:30 p.m. (Brasília time), the team visits Coritiba at Couto Pereira Stadium for the 24th round. Corinthians currently sit in ninth place with 32 points, with eight wins, eight draws, and seven losses, as well as 25 goals scored and 22 conceded.

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