Corinthians fans turn on squad after Libertadores quarter-final exit | OneFootball

On Wednesday night (16), Corinthians faced Estudiantes-ARG at Neo Química Arena in the second leg of the 2026 Conmebol Libertadores quarterfinals and was defeated by the Argentine side 1-0. With the result, the club from Parque São Jorge says goodbye to the continental tournament after losing 2-1 on aggregate, with just over R$ 25 million in its coffers.

At the end of the match, the Corinthians fans showed their dissatisfaction with the squad over the outcome and the team’s current form this year, as it has now gone six matches without a win, with one draw (Estudiantes-ARG) and five defeats (Coritiba, Santos, Chapecoense, Flamengo and Estudiantes-ARG). In this stretch, across the Brasileirão and Libertadores, the team has scored four goals and conceded 10. Timão’s last win came on August 20, against Rosario Central-ARG in Itaquera, in the second leg of the Libertadores round of 16.

Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Agência Corinthians

Chants such as “Bunch of a**holes, you have to be a man to play for Coringão” were heard. In addition, after the final whistle, the players went over to acknowledge the fans and were booed. Timão conceded a goal late in the second half and, in the final play, forward Memphis Depay had the chance to level the match from the penalty spot, but missed.

This was Corinthians’ sixth appearance in the Conmebol Libertadores quarterfinals. In 2000 and 2012, against Atlético-MG and Vasco da Gama, the Alvinegro advanced. On the other hand, in the 1996, 1999, 2022 and 2026 seasons, the club from Parque São Jorge was eliminated by Grêmio, Palmeiras, Flamengo and Estudiantes-ARG, respectively.

Since winning the tournament for the first time in 2012, unbeaten, Timão has not performed well in the competition – in 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2018, it was knocked out in the round of 16. In 2022 and 2026, it fell in the quarterfinals. And finally, in 2020 and 2025, it exited the Libertadores in the preliminary stage. The only two semifinals in the club’s history in the tournament came in 2000 and 2012, advancing to the final in the latter after defeating Santos.

Now, Corinthians turns its focus to its next commitment of the season. This Sunday (20), before the break for the FIFA international window, the Alvinegro will host Fluminense, also at Neo Química Arena, at 4 p.m. (Brasília time), for the 28th round of the 2026 Brazilian Championship. At the moment, Timão sits only 14th with 32 points – eight wins, eight draws and 11 defeats – with 28 goals scored and 29 conceded. The three points are crucial for the team to move away from the relegation zone, which currently has Vasco da Gama as its first representative with 28 points in 26 matches.

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