Gabriel Paulista moved by the Fiel after Corinthians go through, on goal | OneFootball

Corinthians secured a place in the 2026 Conmebol Libertadores quarterfinals on Thursday night (20). At Neo Química Arena, the Alvinegro beat Rosario Central of Argentina 1-0 in the second leg of the Round of 16. Breno Bidon scored the goal that sealed Corinthians’ qualification to face Estudiantes, also from Argentina, in the next round.

After the final whistle, Gabriel Paulista was at the center of one of the celebration’s standout moments at Neo Química Arena. The center-back climbed into the section occupied by the fans to celebrate the qualification alongside the Corinthians supporters. In the mixed zone, the defender explained the decision and linked the gesture to his family’s story and the memory of his brother.

Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Corinthians Agency

“It’s a very special moment for me, as everyone already knows the story of my family, of my brother. And today, actually, was a day when I thought about him a lot. A day when, for sure, if he were here, he would be there too in the stands, suffering. So I didn’t think twice about going up there into the crowd to be just another fan.

I’m already a fan on the field, but this was a great moment for me, a very special day to be together with the supporters, to help the team qualify. So, I think it will be a day for us, a night for us to really enjoy. Of course, we have little time, because there’s another game on Sunday. But today is about enjoying this moment, this qualification, because that’s something rewarding for all of us.”

Gabriel Paulista highlights the role of the Fiel

The decisive match had strong backing from the stands at Neo Química Arena. When analyzing the atmosphere throughout the 90 minutes, Gabriel highlighted the impact of the fans’ unity and said that the support raises the players’ level of commitment on the field even more.

“They are everything to us, because they are something extra. Of course we go in determined, we train to do what’s best for Corinthians. But seeing the Arena the way it was today gives you something extra and doesn’t let you relax for a single second of the match. We think about giving 100%, and when we start hearing them, we have to give 200%, 300% of all that to help Corinthians as much as possible. So, when the supporters come together like that, it’s something very important for us on the field. We feel the fans on the field with us, helping us, pushing us forward.”

Defender reveals the background behind Breno Bidon’s goal

Gabriel Paulista also played a part in building the move that ended with the goal that secured qualification. Before Memphis Depay’s free kick, the defender indicated that the Dutchman should take it. According to him, the play had initially been set up for Rodrigo Garro to strike it, but his experience as a center-back made him see another possibility.

“The play was practiced for Garro to take the free kick. But I, as a center-back, know how difficult an inswinging ball is. It’s very difficult for the defender and for the goalkeeper, any touch and it’s a goal. So I felt it was the moment for Memphis to take the free kick, because it was more of an inswinging delivery and he’s got a good foot for that, with a certain amount of power. And we were happy with the idea I gave there, he understood what could happen. Breno also did well, a slight touch and the goal happened, and now we’re through to the next round.”

Libertadores as the main objective

Lastly, the defender spoke about the meaning of the qualification and revealed that winning the Libertadores is Corinthians’ main goal this season. Gabriel also praised the performance despite the difficulties faced against Rosario Central, including the period when Timão had to play with one man less.

“Of course our biggest goal this season is to win the Libertadores. So, facing a game like today’s, Rosario’s team is a very good team. They have great players who could decide a match, but we managed to neutralize their strengths. We also have players who can decide games, but that’s the important thing. It doesn’t matter what the result is, whether it’s 1-0 or 6-0, the important thing is to qualify. And today it was something important for us, with one player less, with all the difficulties.”

“We know that this is Corinthians. Corinthians has this history of the rough-and-tumble, long-suffering Corinthians fan. So yes, we suffer, but the important thing is the qualification. Now, in search of another important game in Argentina, since Estudiantes went through, so it’s going to be another war there and we’ll have another opportunity to decide it at home.”

With Rosario Central eliminated, Corinthians now prepares to face Estudiantes in the quarterfinals. As Gabriel Paulista pointed out, the Alvinegro will play the first leg in Argentina and decide the tie in front of its fans at Neo Química Arena.

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