Labyad nets first for Corinthians, weighs in on Memphis future | OneFootball

On Thursday night (21), Corinthians visited Uruguay’s Peñarol at Estadio Campeón Del Siglo in a match valid for the fifth round of the 2026 Conmebol Libertadores group stage and drew 1-1. Corinthians’ goal was scored by midfielder Zakaria Labyad in the second half. With the result, the team secured first place in Group E with 11 points — three wins and two draws, in addition to eight goals scored and two conceded.

In an interview with ESPN Brasil right on the pitch after the final whistle, the Moroccan, who made his first start for Timão, commented on the feeling of scoring in a Corinthians shirt. Before this, he had already made ten appearances, all coming off the bench. Due to the starters’ run of matches and the team’s good form in the international tournament, Diniz chose to field a modified lineup tonight and, consequently, gave minutes to the No. 52.

Photo: Disclosure/Corinthians

Zakaria Labyad was also asked about his celebration after the goal, which was a tribute to forward Memphis Depay. The goal came in the 18th minute of the second half, when Kaio César received the ball on the right and crossed for Pedro Raul. No. 18 shot straight at Aguerre, who spilled the ball, and Labyad, alert, took advantage to find the net.

“I think it’s a good feeling, but I also think we should have won this game. Yes, of course (a tribute to Memphis). I think it was also for the club. It’s very important for the club to take the next step with him here. We’ve seen what he has done over the last two years with the players and with the club, winning three titles, helping the team avoid relegation at the end of the season and reaching 9th place (correction: seventh place). So I think he has done a great job with the team. For the club, for us and for the players, we love that he is connected,” he said.

As for the Dutchman, who had already played with Labyad at PSV in the Netherlands, he is under contract with Alvinegro only until July 20 and has an uncertain future at the club. Signed in 2024, the No. 10 was crucial in the team’s surge in that year’s Brasileirão (from the relegation zone to the Libertadores qualifying stage), in addition to being decisive in the title wins of the Campeonato Paulista (2025), Copa do Brasil (2025) and Supercopa do Brasil (2026). Altogether, he has 20 goals and 15 assists in a Corinthians shirt.

Zakaria Labyad, in turn, had not started a match or scored a goal since October 19, 2025, when he was still playing for China’s Dalian Yangbo. On that day, he was in the starting XI against Wuhan Three Towns in the Chinese Championship and was substituted in the ninth minute of the second half. A month earlier, on September 14, he found the net in the win over Shenzen Peng City in the domestic tournament.

In the 74 minutes he was on the pitch before being replaced by Jesse Lingard, Zakaria Labyad earned a 7.1 rating. Overall, he recorded four key passes, 43/48 accurate passes, 3/9 accurate crosses, 64 touches, 11 carries, 1/1 successful tackles, one defensive contribution and 1/3 ground duels won.

After earning a point against Peñarol-URU away from home in the Libertadores, Corinthians now turn their attention back to the Brazilian Championship. That is because next Sunday (24), at 6:30 p.m. (Brasília time), Alvinegro will host Atlético-MG at Neo Química Arena in the 17th round of the national competition. Timão currently sit in 17th place with 18 points — four wins, six draws and six losses — with 14 goals scored and 18 conceded.

Corinthians 2026 assists ranking

1) Rodrigo Garro – 11 assists

2) Matheuzinho, Yuri Alberto, Pedro Raul, Gustavo Henrique, Kaio César and Matheus Bidu – two assists each

3) Jesse Lingard, André Carrillo, Zakaria Labyad, Memphis Depay, Dieguinho, Vitinho and Ryan – one assist each

Corinthians top scorers 2026:

1) Yuri Alberto – six goals 2) Gustavo Henrique – four goals 3) Breno Bidon and André Luiz – three goals 4) Rodrigo Garro, Dieguinho, Jesse Lingard, Matheus Bidu, Kayke, Gabriel Paulista and Raniele – two goals each 5) Zakaria Labyad*, Matheuzinho, Memphis Depay, João Pedro Tchoca, Vitinho, Gui Negão and André Ramalho – one goal each

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