Vitinho nets first Corinthians goal, hails mental strength

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Central do Timão

·23 de febrero de 2026

Vitinho nets first Corinthians goal, hails mental strength

By Fabio Luigi / Central do Timão Editorial Team

Corinthians faced Portuguesa on the night of this Sunday (22), at the Canindé Stadium, in a match valid for the quarterfinals of the 2026 Paulista Championship and drew 1 x 1. In the penalty shootout, the Alvinegro won 8 x 7, and goalkeeper Hugo Souza saved two penalty kicks.

In an interview with the broadcasters of the match right after the final whistle, midfielder Vitinho, who scored his first goal for Corinthians, celebrated the goal and highlighted his individual mental work until he finally scored with the Corinthians shirt: “Happy with this. Glory to God also for this moment. Of course, we talked many times about my first goal. It's something that when you think about it a lot. I managed my mind very well. Not to get too impressed, not to get sad.”

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Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Agência Corinthians

“I knew I was doing a good job, I knew I was getting involved. I knew God would honor me at the right time. Thank God today, we go home happy with the qualification, and I go with this goal,” he said.

The goal of number 11 came at the end of the second half, after a pass from right-back Matheuzinho from the midfield. He controlled, adjusted, and shot hard to find the net of Bruno Bertinato.

Vitinho was signed by Corinthians in August 2025 after a stint in Arab football. Previously, he had played for Botafogo, where he was revealed, Internacional, CSKA Moscow in Russia, and Flamengo. In 29 matches with the Corinthians shirt, he has scored one goal and provided one assist, in addition to being part of the squad that won the Copa do Brasil (2025) and the Supercopa do Brasil (2026), against Vasco da Gama and Flamengo, respectively.

Now, after eliminating Portuguesa in the penalty shootout, away from home, in the Paulistão quarterfinals, Corinthians shifts focus to the Brazilian Championship. Next Wednesday (25), the Alvinegro visits Cruzeiro at 8 PM at Mineirão, for the fourth round of the national competition.

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