Corinthians target feat for the third time in Libertadores history | OneFootball

On Wednesday night (25), Corinthians will face Platense of Argentina at Neo Química Arena in a match valid for the sixth and final round of the 2026 Conmebol Libertadores group stage. The Alvinegro side has already secured first place in Group E and currently has 11 points, with three wins and two draws — eight goals scored and two conceded — but is motivated to pursue the best overall record of this stage.

In addition, Corinthians is also trying to reach a feat that has already happened twice in its history in the continental competition: finishing the group stage unbeaten. In the current edition, the club from Parque São Jorge has already beaten Platense-ARG (A – 2 x 0), Santa Fe-COL (H – 2 x 0) and Peñarol-URU (H – 2 x 0), in addition to two 1 x 1 draws away from home against the Colombians and Uruguayans.

Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Agência Corinthians

In the 2010 and 2012 seasons, Timão also finished the group stage unbeaten. In the first year, it recorded five wins — Racing-URU (2 x 1 and 2 x 0), Cerro Porteño-PAR (2 x 1 and 1 x 0) and Independiente Medellín-COL (1 x 0) — and one draw, precisely against the Colombian side, by a score of 1 x 1. In the season in which it celebrated its 100th anniversary, Alvinegro ended up being eliminated as early as the round of 16, against Flamengo, on the away goals rule.

In the second year, which marked Corinthians’ first Libertadores title in its history, Tite’s team at the time totaled 14 points, with four wins and two draws. Timão beat Nacional-PAR (2 x 0 and 3 x 1), Cruz Azul-MEX (1 x 0) and Deportivo Táchira-VEN (6 x 0). The two draws came away from home: a goalless draw against the Mexicans and a 1 x 1 result against the Venezuelans in the group stage opener, with defensive midfielder Ralf scoring in the final play.

Corinthians is seeking to win the Libertadores for the first time since 2012, the year of its only title in the international tournament so far. Since then, its best run in the continental competition came in 2022, when it was eliminated by Flamengo in the quarterfinals. In turn, in 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2018 it fell in the round of 16. In 2020 and 2025, it was knocked out in the preliminary stage.

It is worth remembering that securing the best overall record would be crucial for Corinthians, since it would play all of its knockout matches at Neo Química Arena through the semifinals. The final, meanwhile, is played at a neutral venue in a single match.

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