Hugo Souza shines, Corinthians reach Paulistão semis on penalties | OneFootball

On the night of this Sunday (22), Corinthians faced Portuguesa at the Canindé Stadium in a match valid for the quarter-finals of the 2026 Paulista Championship and drew 1-1 in regular time. The goal for the Alvinegro was scored by midfielder Vitinho. In the penalty shootout, Hugo Souza saved two and Timão won 8-7.

The Corinthians technical committee, led by Dorival Júnior, could not count on the following players for the upcoming match: defender Cacá (close to being announced by Vitória), left-back Hugo Farias (right knee surgery), midfielder José Martínez (about to terminate contract; suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in the left knee), midfielder Matheus Pereira (grade 2 injury in the left thigh biceps femoris), as well as forwards Kaio César (right thigh posterior injury) and Yuri Alberto (grade 2 muscle injury).

Therefore, Corinthians started the match with: Hugo Souza; Matheuzinho, André Ramalho, Gustavo Henrique, Matheus Bidu (Kayke); Raniele (Rodrigo Garro), Allan, André Luiz, and Breno Bidon (Dieguinho); Memphis Depay (Pedro Raul) and Gui Negão (Vitinho). The bench options were: Felipe Longo, João Pedro Tchoca, Gabriel Paulista, Pedro Milans, Fabrizio Angileri, Charles, André Carrillo, Dieguinho, Rodrigo Garro, Kayke, Vitinho, and Pedro Raul.

Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Agência Corinthians

Portuguesa Line-up

Fabio Matias opted to start the match with the following formation: Bruno Bertinato; João Vitor, Gustavo Henrique, Biazus, and Caio Roque; Guilherme Portuga, Zé Vitor, and Gabriel Pires; Ewerthon, Maceió, and Renê.

The bench was composed of: João Paulo, Botteghin, Carlos Lima, Salomão, Sciencia, Hudson, Marcelo Freitas, Cecchini, Denis, Cauari, Igor Torres, and Cadorini.

Refereeing

The referee will be Raphael Claus, assisted by Neuza Ines Back and Fabrini Bevilaqua Costa. The fourth referee and VAR were, respectively, Fabiano Monteiro dos Santos and Ilbert Estevam da Silva. All were appointed by the Paulista Football Federation (FPF).

Next Commitment

After facing Portuguesa at Canindé for the quarter-finals of the Paulista Championship, Corinthians shifts focus to the Brasileirão. Next Wednesday (25), at 8 PM (Brasília time), the Alvinegro will face Cruzeiro at Mineirão, in a match valid for the fourth round of the national competition.

First Half

The first minutes of the match between Portuguesa and Corinthians were well contested. In the first minute, before the offside was called, Maceió received on the left wing, passed by right-back Matheuzinho, and shot for a save by Hugo Souza. At two minutes, Corinthians had their first opportunity!

The Alvinegro pressed Portuguesa's ball exit with Gui Negão. The number 56 stole the ball, turned, and shot over Bruno Bertinato's goal. Five minutes into the match, the opponent sought to pose a threat with cross-field passes to the right side of the attack, Corinthians' left. Matheus Bidu blocked João Vitor's cross, sending the ball out for a throw-in.

Shortly after, from a corner kick, Corinthians' defense cleared the danger. With just over 12 minutes, the match between the two teams was balanced, with the Alvinegro maintaining greater ball possession and Portuguesa trying to capitalize on a mistake by the club from Parque São Jorge to surprise. Both teams had yet to shoot on goal.

At 15 minutes, midfielder Allan made a mistake in the ball exit, Portuguesa set up a play through the middle, Zé Vitor made a dummy, and Maceió, face to face with the goal, shot at Hugo Souza, and the ball went over! From the corner kick, the Alvinegro's number 1 punched the ball away. Six minutes later, Memphis Depay took a free kick from the right midfield, Gustavo Henrique headed, and on the rebound, Gui Negão attempted a bicycle kick but was unsuccessful.

On the rebound, Raniele crossed into the area, and no one completed it into the net. Subsequently, Renê was one-on-one with Hugo Souza and was brought down by the number 1 in the area, and a penalty was awarded. On the penalty kick, Hugo Souza saved! After the missed penalty, Corinthians continued to struggle in the match, with low attacking efficiency.

In the next play, Gui Negão received from Breno Bidon on the right and crossed at mid-height to Memphis Depay, who saw the ball bounce and shot wide past the goal line! Approaching the end of the match, the Alvinegro had difficulties in midfield. In the next play, from a throw-in, Raniele kicked the ball up, and Zé Vitor took the rebound and scored for the opponent. Score: Portuguesa 1 x 0 Corinthians.

At 40 minutes, André received at the goal line and crossed low towards Memphis Depay and Gui Negão, but goalkeeper Bruno Bertinato anticipated and made the save. When the clock hit 45 minutes, four more were added. In the final moments of the first half, Matheuzinho took the rebound from a cross and shot weakly; the ball was cleared by Portuguesa's defense.

At 49, the end of the first half. Score: Portuguesa 1 x 0 Corinthians. The club from Parque São Jorge struggled with ball exits through midfield and was ineffective in attack. Portuguesa, on the other hand, was more effective, posed more danger, and was leading in the partial score.

Second Half

To start the second half, coach Dorival Júnior made the first change: midfielder Raniele left the field for the entry of midfielder Rodrigo Garro. In the first minutes of the final stage, Portuguesa started seeking more of the attack field. At two minutes, right-back João Vitor received at the goal line and shot across for a great save by Hugo Souza! On the corner kick, André Ramalho cleared.

Seven minutes into the second half, Corinthians, even with an offensive change – the entry of Rodrigo Garro, still had difficulties circulating the ball and breaking the opponent's marking in the attack field, mainly circulating the ball between defenders and midfielders. At nine, Renê was launched inside the area and headed wide.

At 10 minutes, Portuguesa built a play at the goal line on the left and had a shot blocked by Gustavo Henrique in the penalty area. Right after, Gui Negão suffered in midfield, and on the free-kick, Rodrigo Garro launched directly out. At 19 minutes, Memphis Depay took a corner kick with danger, but Portuguesa's defense cleared.

Then, the first three changes for Corinthians: Breno Bidon, Gui Negão, and Memphis Depay left for the entries of Dieguinho, Vitinho, and Pedro Raul, respectively. Even after the mentioned changes, the Alvinegro couldn't change the match scenario and struggled with collective inefficiency.

At 28 minutes of the final stage, Matheus Bidu received at the goal line and crossed to Pedro Raul, who, under the goal, sent it wide! Shortly after, Corinthians' number 21 reached the goal line and crossed, but again the opposing defense cleared! At 37 minutes, André Luiz got the ball on the left sideline, played a one-two with Rodrigo Garro, and was brought down in midfield.

On the free-kick, the opposing defense cleared. At 42 minutes, Portuguesa stole the ball in midfield with Maceió, who sprinted down the right, went one-on-one with Hugo Souza, and shot wide of the Corinthians goal. Shortly after, Garro passed to Allan in midfield, but the number 29 shot wide. At 44, the last change for the Alvinegro: left-back Matheus Bidu left for the entry of Kayke.

Shortly after, following a long ball forward, Corinthians' defense got tangled, and Maceió, first time, almost scored the second, but Hugo Souza parried it. When the clock hit 45 minutes, seven more were added. Shortly after, Timão's equalizing goal! Matheuzinho in midfield launched Vitinho inside the area, the number 11 controlled it and blasted it past Bruno Bertinato! Score: Portuguesa 1 x 1 Corinthians!

At 97 minutes, end of the match. Score: Portuguesa 1 x 1 Corinthians.

Penalty Shootout

First Corinthians kick: Midfielder Rodrigo Garro shot to the left corner, and Bruno Bertinato saved.

Portuguesa kick: Zé Vitor sent Hugo Souza the wrong way and shot to the right corner. 1 x 0 Portuguesa.

Second Corinthians kick: Vitinho shot to the goalkeeper's left corner and scored. Portuguesa 1 x 1 Corinthians.

Portuguesa kick: Renê shot to Hugo Souza's right corner, and Timão's goalkeeper saved! Portuguesa 1 x 1 Corinthians.

Third Corinthians kick: Matheuzinho sent Bruno the wrong way and shot to the goalkeeper's right corner. Portuguesa 1 x 2 Corinthians.

Portuguesa kick: Rodriguinho shot to the right corner, hit the post, and went in. Score: Portuguesa 2 x 2 Corinthians.

Fourth Corinthians kick: Gustavo Henrique shot to the right corner and scored. Score: Portuguesa 2 x 3 Corinthians.

Portuguesa kick: Gustavo Henrique shot to Hugo's left corner and scored. Score: Portuguesa 3 x 3 Corinthians.

Fifth Corinthians kick: Pedro Raul shot to the left corner and scored! Score: Portuguesa 3 x 4 Corinthians.

Portuguesa kick: Maceió shot to the right corner and scored. Score: Portuguesa 4 x 4 Corinthians.

Sixth Corinthians kick: André Ramalho shot to the left corner and scored. Score: Portuguesa 4 x 5 Corinthians.

Portuguesa kick: Hudson shot and scored. Portuguesa: 5 x 5 Corinthians.

Seventh Corinthians kick: Kayke shot and scored. Score: Portuguesa 5 x 6 Corinthians.

Portuguesa kick: Salomão shot and scored. Portuguesa 6 x 6 Corinthians.

Eighth Corinthians kick: André Luiz took the shot and scored. Portuguesa 6 x 7 Corinthians.

Portuguesa kick: Carlos Lima shot and scored. Score: Portuguesa 7 x 7 Corinthians.

Ninth Corinthians kick: Allan took the shot and scored. Portuguesa 7 x 8 Corinthians.

Portuguesa kick: Cauari shot, and Hugo Souza saved! Corinthians is a semifinalist in the Paulistão!

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