Tchoca scores again, joins top scorers, extends assist lead

In partnership with

Central do Timão

·26 February 2026

Tchoca scores again, joins top scorers, extends assist lead

By Fabio Luigi / Central do Timão Editorial Team

On the night of Wednesday (25), Corinthians visited Cruzeiro at Mineirão Stadium, in a match valid for the fourth round of the 2026 Brazilian Championship, and ended up with a 1-1 draw. The tie extended Corinthians' unbeaten streak this season and temporarily placed the team in third position in the national tournament with seven points – five goals scored and three conceded.

The match also shook up the Corinthians rankings. That's because defender João Pedro Tchoca scored his first goal of the season and entered the list of the club's top scorers for the year. The goal came at the 35th minute of the second half, when midfielder Rodrigo Garro won a corner on the left, took the kick himself, and Timão's number 4 headed the ball firmly to tie the match.

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Photos: Rodrigo Coca/Agência Corinthians

This was his second goal for the Parque São Jorge club. Previously, his first came on January 22, 2025, also a header, in Corinthians' 2-1 victory over Água Santa at Neo Química Arena, during the group stage of the Campeonato Paulista. Since then, a little over a year and a month have passed.

Midfielder Rodrigo Garro, in turn, reached his third assist of the season and is establishing himself as the team's main playmaker in 2026. Behind him are Matheuzinho, Yuri Alberto, Matheus Bidu, Memphis Depay, Dieguinho, Gustavo Henrique, Kaio César, Vitinho, Ryan, and Pedro Raul, each with one assist.

After facing Cruzeiro away in the fourth round of the Brasileirão, Corinthians shifts its focus back to the Campeonato Paulista. Next Saturday (28), at 8:30 PM (Brasília time), the team faces Novorizontino at Estádio Jorge Ismael de Biasi, in the state championship semifinal. A draw will take the decision to penalty kicks.

Corinthians Top Scorers 2026:

1) Yuri Alberto – three goals2) André, Gabriel Paulista, and Breno Bidon – two goals each3) João Pedro Tchoca*, Vitinho, Rodrigo Garro, Matheus Bidu, Gui Negão, Kayke, Dieguinho, Gustavo Henrique, André Ramalho – one goal each

Corinthians Assists Ranking 2026

1) Rodrigo Garro* – three assists

2) Matheuzinho, Yuri Alberto, Matheus Bidu, Memphis Depay, Dieguinho, Gustavo Henrique, Kaio César, Vitinho, Ryan, and Pedro Raul – one assist each

João Pedro Tchoca's Journey at Corinthians

The defender arrived at Parque São Jorge in 2019 after standing out at Desportivo Brasil. In 2024, he formed a defensive partnership with Renato during the campaign that won the Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior, beating Cruzeiro 1-0 in Itaquera. Soon after, he was promoted to the professional squad – having aged out of the youth team.

Initially, he didn't get much playing time under the Alvinegro coaches at the time, first Antônio Oliveira and then Ramón Díaz, and was loaned to Ceará in the second half of that year. At the northeastern club, he was a starter in the final stretch of the campaign that secured promotion to Serie A last year. At the start of 2025, he was reintegrated into the Corinthians squad and began to earn opportunities and become an important part of the team.

The number 47 took part in the campaigns that won the Campeonato Paulista and Copa do Brasil, against Vasco da Gama and Palmeiras, respectively. In total, he has played 36 matches for Corinthians (29 as a starter), with 19 wins, 11 draws, and six losses – a 62.96% success rate – with two goals scored and one assist provided.

Rodrigo Garro's Journey at Corinthians

Rodrigo Garro was signed by Corinthians in January 2024 after standing out at Talleres, Argentina. The midfielder quickly became one of the main players for the Alvinegro, being fundamental in the team's surge in the previous Brasileirão (from the relegation zone to the Pre-Libertadores), where he was voted the best midfielder of the competition in the ESPN Bola de Prata – leader in assists (10). In 2025, he struggled with physical problems and didn't perform at the same level. From March to May, he was sidelined treating tendinopathy in his right knee. In October, he suffered a calf injury.

Even so, he was part of the squad that won the Paulista and Copa do Brasil titles, against Palmeiras and Vasco, respectively. At the start of this year, he also played in the team that won the Supercopa do Brasil against Flamengo at Mané Garrincha Stadium in Brasília. Wearing the Corinthians shirt, he has scored 16 goals and provided 26 assists in 112 matches.

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