Corinthians idol on Vasco clashes, emotions after 2022 cup defeat

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Central do Timão

·21 December 2025

Corinthians idol on Vasco clashes, emotions after 2022 cup defeat

By Henrique Pereira / Central do Timão Editorial Team

Corinthians and Vasco face each other again in a national decision this Sunday (21), at 6 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã, for the decisive match of the Copa do Brasil final. Among those who know well the weight of this clash is Fábio Santos. A black-and-white idol and retired since 2023, the former full-back closely followed important chapters of this rivalry throughout his career.

The two clubs have staged memorable duels in the last decade. One of the most remembered is the 2011 Brazilian Championship, decided only in the final round and concluded with Corinthians' fifth championship. The following year, the encounter happened again in a decisive setting, this time in the quarter-finals of the 2012 Libertadores. At Pacaembu, a goal by Paulinho in the final minutes secured Corinthians' qualification in a match that became one of the most symbolic of the continental title campaign.

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Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Ag. Corinthians

In an interview with Lance, the former full-back recalled precisely the clashes against Vasco during the 2012 Libertadores, when Corinthians advanced to the semi-finals, as well as the direct fight for the Brazilian title the previous year.

“Those were the two main teams of those years, 2011, 2012, maybe with Neymar's Santos too, but they sold the 2011 Brasileirão very dearly, we fought until the end, and in 2012, there was that game, which for many was the early final of the Libertadores, there we really had the certainty that we were ready to be champions. Vasco was really a great opponent in those years, it was a great team. Very cool, the teams decided the 2000 World Cup, there was that time, and now a Copa do Brasil final. They are two gigantic teams that we hope to always stay at the top.”, he said.

Fábio Santos also went back in time to talk about the defeat in the 2022 Copa do Brasil final, when Corinthians was overcome by Flamengo, also at Maracanã. According to him, the memory is still striking, but the new decision brings hope for a different outcome for the club.

“Man, not just for this final, this movie plays every day in my head to tell the truth. I've said it a few times, it was the worst defeat of my life, I couldn't accept it very well, but it's part of the profession. How cool to see, after three years of this defeat, Corinthians returning to decide a Copa do Brasil final at Maracanã with some remnants from that final. Everything is maturing, everything is part of it, I hope it has a different ending.”, commented the former Timão.

When comparing the two decisions, the former player highlighted important differences in the context of the finals and assessed the balance of the current clash, especially after the draw in the first game.

“Man, everything depends on the first game. In 2022 it was different, Flamengo was very favored on that occasion, we had already faced them in the Libertadores and were defeated both at Neo Química Arena and at Maracanã, so they were very favored. We managed to draw the first game (0-0 at Neo Química Arena) and kind of arrived discredited in the second game. There were those 3,000 fans with us at Maracanã and we managed to take it to penalties, in the end everyone knows what happened. This year, no, I see an open final, with no favorites, the first game was a draw, even with Vasco playing at home, alongside their fans, I see a lot of balance in this decision, and even though the Corinthians fan base is a minority, they make a lot of noise and can make a difference.”, he stated.

With two stints at the Parque São Jorge club, Fábio Santos built a solid trajectory. He played 374 games in the black-and-white jersey, scored 32 goals, provided 17 assists, and won six titles: Brasileirão (2011 and 2015), Paulistão (2013), Recopa Sudamericana (2013), Libertadores (2012), and FIFA Club World Cup (2012).

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