Corinthians into Libertadores last eight for sixth time, look back | OneFootball

Corinthians return to the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals this Tuesday. Against Argentina’s Estudiantes, Timão begin another attempt to reach the semifinals of the continent’s main tournament. It will be the sixth time in the club’s history that it has reached this stage of the competition, after 1996, 1999, 2000, 2012, and 2022.

In the previous five appearances, the record is balanced: Corinthians managed to advance twice and were eliminated three times. The successful runs came in 2000, against Atlético-MG, and in 2012, against Vasco — the latter campaign ended with the first Libertadores title in the club’s history.

Corinthians faced Flamengo in their last Libertadores quarterfinal appearance, in 2022. Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Ag. Corinthians

Corinthians’ first appearance in the Libertadores quarterfinals came in 1996. The opponent was Grêmio, who got the better of the matchup. In the first leg, in Porto Alegre, the team from Rio Grande do Sul won 3-0. In the return match, Corinthians won 1-0, but could not overturn the deficit and were eliminated. That was the first time Timão had reached the quarterfinals of the competition. Since then, the club has returned to this stage five more times, including the current edition.

Three years later, Corinthians were back in the quarterfinals. This time, the opponent was Palmeiras, in one of the first major Libertadores clashes between the rivals. Timão won the first leg 2-0, but Palmeiras matched that score in the return leg. With the aggregate score tied at 2-2, qualification was decided on penalties. Palmeiras won 4-2 in the shootout and advanced to the semifinals, ending Corinthians’ campaign.

The following year, Corinthians again reached the quarterfinals and faced Atlético-MG. The tie was balanced, but Timão came out on top. In the first leg, the teams drew 1-1. In the return leg, Corinthians won 2-1 and secured a place in the semifinals. It was the first time the club had managed to get past the Libertadores quarterfinals. However, Corinthians were then eliminated by Palmeiras in the semifinals.

After 12 years, Corinthians returned to the quarterfinals in 2012. And once again the opponent was a Brazilian club: Vasco. Timão won the first match 1-0 and held on for a goalless draw in the return leg at São Januário. With the qualification, Corinthians advanced to the semifinals and took another step in that year’s historic campaign. After eliminating Santos in the semifinals, Tite’s team faced Boca Juniors in the final. Corinthians won the final and, unbeaten, claimed the first Libertadores title in the club’s history.

Corinthians’ fifth quarterfinal appearance came ten years after the title. In 2022, the opponent was Flamengo. The tie ended with the Rio club going through. Flamengo won both matches, 2-0 in São Paulo and 1-0 in Rio de Janeiro, and advanced to the semifinals.

Now, four years after their last appearance, Corinthians are back in the quarterfinals. The opponent will be Estudiantes de La Plata. Timão secured their spot after eliminating Rosario Central in the round of 16. The Argentine club, meanwhile, advanced past Cerro Porteño.

The first leg of the quarterfinals takes place this Wednesday (9) at Estadio Jorge Luis Hirschi in Argentina, at 9:30 p.m. Brasília time. The second leg will be played next week, again on Wednesday (16), this time at Neo Química Arena. Kickoff will once again be at 9:30 p.m.

Corinthians’ record in the Libertadores quarterfinals

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