Hugo Souza hero on penalties as Corinthians beat Cruzeiro in cup

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Central do Timão

·14 December 2025

Hugo Souza hero on penalties as Corinthians beat Cruzeiro in cup

By Vinícios Cotrim | Central do Timão Editorial Team

On the night of this Sunday (14th), Corinthians hosted Cruzeiro in the return leg of the Copa do Brasil semifinal. With more than 46,000 fans present, the Neo Química Arena witnessed the visitors' victory in regular time, 2 x 1, leading to a penalty shootout.

In the penalties, Yuri Alberto missed the first, but Hugo Souza helped his teammate by saving two consecutive penalties from Gabi and Wallace, qualifying Corinthians for the grand final of the Copa do Brasil.

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Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Ag. Corinthians

Corinthians' Lineup and Absences

The black-and-white team had two uncertainties for the match: midfielder Raniele and forward Yuri Alberto. However, both managed to recover in time to be available for coach Dorival Júnior for the decisive match in Itaquera. It's worth noting that right-back Matheuzinho and midfielder Rodrigo Garro are one yellow card away from suspension, and if booked, they will miss the return match.

Given this, coach Dorival Júnior chose the following team to start the match: Hugo Souza, Matheuzinho, André Ramalho, Gustavo Henrique, and Matheus Bidu; José Martínez, Maycon, André Carrillo, and Breno Bidon; Memphis Depay and Yuri Alberto.

The bench options included: Felipe Longo, Rodrigo Garro, Romero, Raniele, Cacá, Fabrizio Angileri, Vitinho, Charles, João Pedro, André, Gui Negão, and Dieguinho.

Cruzeiro's Lineup

Coach Leonardo Jardim fielded a team with: Cássio, William, Fabrício Bruno, Jhonatan Jesus, and Kaiki; Matheus Henrique, Lucas Silva, Matheus Pereira, and Christian; Luís Sinisterra and Kaio Jorge.

Refereeing

The referee was Rodrigo José Pereira de Lima, assisted by Nailton Junior de Sousa Oliveira and Victor Hugo Imazu dos Santos. The fourth official and VAR were, respectively, Paulo Roberto Alves Junior and Rafael Traci.

First Half

Corinthians started with a similar momentum to the first leg of the semifinal, creating chances with counterattacks and set pieces. In one of the plays, Memphis Depay found Maycon at the edge of the box, but the number 7 failed to control the ball, letting it pass.

At 15 minutes, Hugo Souza made a crucial save on a beautiful shot by Matheus Pereira, keeping the score level. On the rebound, the defense managed to deflect another Cruzeiro shot, conceding a corner that did not result in a dangerous play.

The goalkeeper was called into action again minutes later. After a play on the left side of Corinthians' defense, Cruzeiro reached the edge of the box with Matheus Pereira alone. The opponent's number 10 shot, but Hugo Souza was well-positioned and made the save.

Corinthians tried to respond shortly after, with passing exchanges involving Memphis Depay, Breno Bidon, and Matheus Bidu. The left-back crossed into the box but overhit it, missing Yuri Alberto.

From a corner taken by Memphis Depay, the defense cleared it, and Carrillo returned it to the number 10. He dribbled past an opponent and crossed to Maycon, who shot first-time but was stopped by Cássio.

Corinthians showed difficulty in building up play and passing towards the attack. Unlike the first game, Cruzeiro had more possession and controlled the midfield, connecting to the offensive sector.

And Cruzeiro managed to score. In a play initiated on the left, right-back William received the ball alone on the right side and passed to Christian. The midfielder crossed to Arroyo, who headed past Hugo Souza, leveling the aggregate score.

The referee added two minutes of stoppage time, but neither team posed a threat during these minutes. The match went to halftime with the aggregate score tied.

Second Half

To change the game's dynamics, Dorival Júnior made two substitutions right after the break for Corinthians: Raniele and Rodrigo Garro replaced José Martínez and André Carrillo.

The change had no effect, and Corinthians conceded the second goal just before five minutes. In a failed high-press attempt, Gustavo Henrique allowed Kaio Jorge to run behind the defense and reach the edge of the box unmarked. The forward passed to Arroyo, who scored the second.

And Corinthians managed to reduce the deficit. From a set-piece taken by Rodrigo Garro, André Ramalho headed backwards, the ball was cleared by Cássio and found Matheus Bidu inside the box. The left-back bravely headed it in, tying the aggregate score again.

The People's Team kept pressing. With a play involving Memphis Depay, Maycon, and Matheus Bidu, the left-back earned a corner and quickly took it to the number 10. The Dutchman struck hard, surprising Cássio, who saved in shock and pushed it to the side again.

Seconds later, Garro shot from distance, forcing the goalkeeper to save again. After the corner, Corinthians had a similar chance to the first goal. Matheus Bidu attempted a bicycle kick and nearly tied the match, hitting the crossbar.

Corinthians hit the post again, this time with Breno Bidon. The midfielder shot with his right foot – his weaker one, after a play set up by Maycon and Matheus Bidu on the left side. On the rebound, Cássio managed to hold it.

The teams showed fatigue after the frantic initial minutes. Neither team managed to shoot on goal in the middle of the second half, with a high volume of fouls and physical battles in midfield.

To inject energy into the team, Dorival Júnior replaced Maycon with Vitinho, who has been getting opportunities off the bench in recent weeks. Thus, the team started playing with three forwards.

At the start of stoppage time, Corinthians threatened after a shot by Rodrigo Garro, which went just wide of the left post defended by Cássio. The number 8 took advantage of a loose ball after a cross from Matheus Bidu, who had received the ball from André Ramalho.

With Cruzeiro's victory in regular time, the decision for a spot in the Copa do Brasil final went to penalties – see below the list of penalties taken by both teams.

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