Corinthians thrash Ponte Preta in Paulista opener

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Central do Timão

·11 January 2026

Corinthians thrash Ponte Preta in Paulista opener

By Daniel Keppler / Central do Timão Editorial Team

On the afternoon of this Sunday (11), Corinthians took the field for the first time in the 2026 season! Playing at Neo Química Arena, the People’s Team hosted Ponte Preta for the first round of the Campeonato Paulista, and even missing key starting players, controlled the match and won 3-0. The goals were scored by Gustavo Henrique, André Luiz, and André Ramalho, all in the second half.

With this result, Timão earned their first three points in the state championship, in a victory that is already very important for a possible qualification to the tournament’s knockout stage, since with the new formula implemented by the Paulista Football Federation, each team will play only eight times in the first phase, leaving less room for slip-ups against opponents besides Corinthians’ major rivals in the state.

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Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Corinthians Agency

Corinthians Lineup

Coach Dorival Júnior could not count on the following players for the match: defenders Félix Torres and Renato, midfielders Alex Santana, José Martínez, and Raniele, left-back Fabrizio Angileri, midfielder Rodrigo Garro, as well as forwards Héctor Hernández, Memphis Depay, and Yuri Alberto.

Given this, coach Dorival Júnior chose the following team to start the match: Hugo Souza; Matheuzinho, André Ramalho, Gustavo Henrique, and Matheus Bidu; Charles, André Luiz, André Carrillo, and Breno Bidon; Vitinho and Gui Negão.

The bench options were: Felipe Longo, Félix Torres, Pedro Raul, Cacá, Kayke, Ryan, João Pedro, Hugo, Gui Amorim, João Victor Jacaré, and Dieguinho.

Ponte Preta Lineup

Coach Marcelo Fernandes chose to start the match with: Diogo Silva; Pacheco, Saimon, Diego Leão, João Gabriel, Rodrigo Souza, Gustavo Telles, Elvis, Bruno Lopes, Diego Tavares, and Jeh.

Refereeing

The referee was Daiane Muniz, assisted by Neuza Inês Back and Gustavo Rodrigues de Oliveira. The fourth official and VAR were, respectively, Fabiano Monteiro dos Santos and Rodrigo Guarizo Ferreira do Amaral.

First Half

Corinthians started the game valuing possession and trying to find gaps in Ponte Preta’s defense, with a very offensive posture. Early on, the team found its first chance, with Gui Negão shooting wide at three minutes.

Ponte tried to hold back the Corinthians’ momentum, but the attacks kept coming. In the next play, Matheuzinho attempted a cross from the right, which was intercepted by the opposing goalkeeper. André Luiz also tried from long range, but his shot went wide as well.

Even with control of possession and creating some chances, Ponte Preta’s team was not in serious danger, managing to hold on and keep the score at zero. Timão kept pressing, trying to score with Matheus Bidu on two occasions and, soon after, another shot from Matheuzinho, which forced the opposing goalkeeper into a good save – Corinthians’ first big chance of the game.

After the hydration break, the pace of the game slowed a bit, but the Alvinegro still controlled the play. Carrillo looked for the Corinthians attack in the box with a cross that was deflected by the defense. In the final minutes, Ponte Preta created their first chance, but Jeh’s shot was well saved by Hugo Souza – Matheus Bidu also threatened on a poorly cleared rebound, but the game went to halftime at 0-0.

Second Half

Corinthians came back from the break with the same attacking attitude as the first half, and soon created the first chance, after a pass from Matheus Bidu found Matheuzinho – but the play didn’t develop. Next, Gustavo Henrique almost scored in a play that required a great save from Ponte Preta’s goalkeeper, and on the rebound Bidu even scored, but the goal was disallowed for offside.

At nine minutes, however, Corinthians’ superiority was finally rewarded: after yet another corner, Vitinho took it and Gustavo Henrique once again rose above the defense, heading precisely to open the scoring for the People’s Team in Itaquera!

The goal did not cool Corinthians’ momentum, who, encouraged by the fans, kept attacking and soon extended the lead: after a well-worked team move at 18 minutes, Breno Bidon found Gui Negão, who advanced to the byline. Matheuzinho received and shot at goal, with André Luiz appearing free to just tap it in and score Timão’s second!

Dorival Júnior made changes to the team, which remained very offensive. At 30 minutes, Dieguinho threatened with a good shot after receiving a pass from Matheuzinho. In the next play, it was Vitinho’s turn to have a goal disallowed for an attacking foul.

Already in stoppage time, Corinthians sealed the victory this Sunday, with a beautiful goal from André Ramalho, who received a pass in midfield and fired a powerful shot into the top corner of Ponte Preta’s goalkeeper. Right after, the referee ended the match, won by Timão 3-0!

Next Match

After defeating Ponte Preta, Corinthians remain focused on the Paulistão and return to the pitch next Thursday (15), at 7:30 pm (Brasília time). The Alvinegro will visit Red Bull Bragantino at the Cícero de Souza Marques Stadium, for the second round of the Paulistão.

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