Corinthians waste chances, held to draw in Women's Libertadores opener

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Central do Timão

·2 octobre 2025

Corinthians waste chances, held to draw in Women's Libertadores opener

By Henrique Pereira / Central do Timão Editorial Team

This Thursday, the 2nd, Corinthians made their debut in the Copa Libertadores. In a match valid for the first round of the group stage, the Brabas faced Independiente del Valle at Estádio Lencho, in Buenos Aires, and left the field with a 1-1 draw.

The first half was marked by many physical battles and few clear chances. Even so, Corinthians were the more dangerous side and, despite missing good opportunities, opened the scoring with Zanotti from the penalty spot. In the second half, Timão created more chances but failed to capitalize. The lack of efficiency was punished with a goal in the final minutes to level the score.

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Photo: Staff Images/ CONMEBOL

Corinthians Lineup

Coach Lucas Piccinato sent out a team composed of: Nicole; Tamires, Thais Ferreira, Mariza and Gi Fernandes; Dayana Rodríguez, Duda Sampaio and Gabi Zanotti; Gisela Robledo, Jhonson and Vic Albuquerque.

On the bench, the following players were available: Lelê, Kemelli, Letícia Teles, Thaís Regina, Andressa Alves, Ivana Fuso, Letícia Monteiro, Juliete and Ariel Godoi.

Independiente del Valle Lineup

Coach Gustavo Pineda sent out a team composed of: Mary, Mayerli Rodríguez, Mayerli Rodríguez, Verónica Riveros, Zitardo and Charcopa; Fiorella Pico, Roldán, Larissa Nunes and Burgos; Valencia and Aldana.

Refereeing

The referee was Laura Fortunato (Argentina), assisted by Gisela Trucco (Argentina) and Carla Lopez (Argentina). The fourth official was Emikar Calderas (Venezuela) and VAR was handled by Salome Di Iorio (Argentina).

First Half

The first chance came from the Ecuadorian team. In the first minute, Independiente tried to attack down the left and the Corinthians defense cleared for a throw-in. On the restart, Timão regained possession.

At three minutes, Jhonson received a long ball and the Ecuadorian defense got confused. Number 40 entered the box and shot over the goal. At six, Jhonson shot again after a cross from Duda Sampaio at the far post. With a header, she sent the ball over the goal, but the referee called a penalty on Gabi Zanotti, which was confirmed by VAR.

The Corinthians goal: From the penalty spot, Zanotti struck with great skill and placed a low shot into the left corner. The Ecuadorian goalkeeper guessed the right side but couldn't reach the ball.

At 13 minutes, Duda Sampaio received a cross from Tamires on the left and headed straight into the hands of goalkeeper Mary. At 15, Aldana received from Valencia at the edge of the box and shot over Nicole's goal.

At 27, Independiente Dragonas had two consecutive chances and almost equalized. First, goalkeeper Nicole got tangled up and Valencia shot over the goal. In the sequence, another shot from outside the box went wide.

At 33, Aldana controlled the ball and shot weakly with her right foot, but the ball deflected off the defense and stayed with Nicole. At 39, Vic Albuquerque received a pass on the right and played it to Gi Fernandes. The full-back shot from outside the box with her right foot and Mary made the save.

At 41 minutes, again on the right, Gi Fernandes made an overlapping run and received the ball from Zanotti. The full-back passed to Duda Sampaio, who shot first time over the goal.

There was no time for anything else and Corinthians went into the break leading 1-0.

Second Half

Corinthians started the second half pressing Independiente. In a good move down the right, Duda passed to Gabi Zanotti, who found Gi Fernandes on the right wing. Number 23 crossed to the far post and the defense managed to clear. In the sequence, the ball went out for a goal kick.

At seven minutes, Duda Sampaio stole the ball, passed to Dayana Rodríguez and got it back, but ended up shooting from outside the box over the goal.

At 16, Roldán received the ball from Burgos in the box. Number 31 shot hard at first and Nicole gave up a rebound. Roldán had another chance and the Corinthians goalkeeper made another save.

At 23, Corinthians made a play down the right with Gabi Zanotti, who waited for an option and found Robledo, who shot to the right corner for a save by Mary. At 33, Andressa Alves carried the ball down the left and tried to cross, but the defender cleared. On the rebound, Letícia Monteiro battled with the opponent, the ball fell to Robledo and number 7 scored a beautiful goal, but the referee called a foul in the play before the shot.

At 38 minutes, Tamires received a pass from Dayana Rodríguez at the edge of the box and shot at goal, forcing Mary to make a save and send it out for a corner. At 41, Vic Albuquerque took a corner into the box and the ball went across the goal with no one able to get a touch.

At 44, Andressa Alves received a cross from the right and, unmarked in the box, controlled the ball but got tangled up and lost possession. In the final minutes, Del Valle started to press to try to find the equalizer.

The Independiente del Valle goal: and the pressure paid off. At 48, after a throw-in, the ball fell in the Corinthians box and Valencia hit a beautiful first-time shot to beat Nicole and level the score.

At 53, after a corner, Thaís Regina picked up a loose ball in the box but shot over the goal and missed a good chance. There was no time for anything else and the match ended in a 1-1 draw.

Next Fixture

After facing Dragonas Independiente Del Valle, the Brabas return to Libertadores action next Sunday, the 5th, when they face Always Ready-BOL at Estadio Nuevo Francisco Urbano, in Morón, at 4pm.

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