Last Corinthians v Cruzeiro at Neo Química Arena, hosts won on pens | OneFootball

Corinthians and Cruzeiro will meet again at Neo Química Arena this Sunday (16) in the Brazilian Championship. The reunion comes about eight months after one of the most decisive clashes between the teams in recent years. The last time the clubs faced each other in Itaquera, Timão lost 2-1 in regular time, but eliminated the Minas Gerais side on penalties and secured a place in the 2025 Copa do Brasil final.

The match took place on December 14, in the second leg of the national competition’s semifinal. Corinthians came into the clash with the advantage after beating Cruzeiro 1-0 at Mineirão. Because of that, they could advance to the final even with a draw in front of their home crowd.

Photos: Rodrigo Coca/Agência Corinthians

However, the scenario changed over the 90 minutes. Kevin Arroyo scored twice for the visitors, while Matheus Bidu pulled one back for Corinthians. Cruzeiro’s 2-1 win leveled the aggregate score and took the decision over the finalist to a penalty shootout.

Cruzeiro built the advantage during the match

The first half saw Cruzeiro create the most dangerous chances. Hugo Souza came up big at important moments to prevent the Minas Gerais team from opening the scoring earlier, but he could not stop the goal in the 39th minute.

After a move built down the right flank, Christian sent the ball into the box and Kevin Arroyo appeared to head it home and put Cruzeiro ahead. The score at halftime left the clash tied on aggregate.

Corinthians came back for the second half with Raniele and Rodrigo Garro replacing José Martínez and André Carrillo. Even with the changes, it was Cruzeiro who scored again.

Just four minutes in, Kaio Jorge drove forward in attack and found Arroyo, who finished to score his second goal of the match. The play was initially ruled offside, but the decision was reviewed by VAR and the goal was ultimately confirmed.

Needing to respond, Timão found their goal shortly afterward. Rodrigo Garro sent a free kick into the box, André Ramalho got a touch, and after Cássio failed to clear it completely, Matheus Bidu pounced on the loose ball to cut it to 2-1.

From then on, Corinthians increased the pressure in search of an equalizer. Bidu nearly scored again with a bicycle kick that hit the crossbar, while Breno Bidon also struck the woodwork on another chance. Despite the black-and-white side’s attacks, the score did not change again.

Hugo Souza comes through in the shootout

With the aggregate score tied, the place in the final had to be decided on penalties. Corinthians started at a disadvantage after Cássio saved Yuri Alberto’s spot kick, but they managed to stay alive in the shootout.

Memphis Depay, Rodrigo Garro, Vitinho and Gustavo Henrique converted their respective penalties. For Cruzeiro, Matheus Pereira, Wanderson, William and Lucas Silva scored.

The decisive moment began when Hugo Souza saved Gabriel Barbosa’s penalty, preventing Cruzeiro from ending the shootout. In sudden death, the Corinthians goalkeeper came up big again and also saved Walace’s shot. It was up to Breno Bidon to seal qualification. The midfielder converted his penalty and confirmed Corinthians in the Copa do Brasil final.

Corinthians lineup

On that occasion, coach Dorival Júnior started the semifinal with: Hugo Souza; Matheuzinho, André Ramalho, Gustavo Henrique and Matheus Bidu; José Martínez, Maycon, André Carrillo and Breno Bidon; Memphis Depay and Yuri Alberto.

On the bench were Felipe Longo, Rodrigo Garro, Romero, Raniele, Cacá, Angileri, Vitinho, Charles, João Pedro Tchoca, André Luiz, Gui Negão and Dieguinho.

Cruzeiro lineup

Cruzeiro, coached by Leonardo Jardim, started with Cássio; William, Fabrício Bruno, Jonathan and Kaiki; Matheus Henrique and Lucas Silva; Matheus Pereira, Christian and Sinisterra; Kaio Jorge.

Black-and-white celebration in Itaquera

The semifinal drew 47,520 fans. Despite the defeat in regular time, the night ended in celebration for Corinthians with qualification to the final.

After overcoming Cruzeiro, Corinthians faced Vasco in the Copa do Brasil final. Thus, the last meeting between Timão and Raposa at Neo Química Arena was remembered not for the result of the 90 minutes, but for the black-and-white side’s qualification built on penalties.

Now, the clubs return to the same stadium in a different context. Corinthians and Cruzeiro face each other this Sunday (16), at 7:30 p.m. (Brasília time), in the 23rd round of the Brazilian Championship.

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