Unbeaten at home, Novorizontino face Corinthians in Paulistão

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Central do Timão

·28 Februari 2026

Unbeaten at home, Novorizontino face Corinthians in Paulistão

By Henrique Pereira / Central do Timão Editorial Team

Corinthians takes the field this Saturday (28) at 8:30 PM (Brasília time) to face Novorizontino in the semifinals of the Campeonato Paulista. The decision will be a single match at Estádio Doutor Jorge Ismael de Biasi, in Novo Horizonte.

Even against an opponent with less tradition in the state tournament, Timão will face one of the most challenging commitments. The team from the interior comes in buoyed by the best campaign of the competition and is experiencing a moment of great confidence this season.

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Photos: Pedro Zacchi/Ag.Paulistão

In 2026, Novorizontino built a historic path in the Paulistão. The team advanced to the knockout stage as the overall leader of the first phase. In eight matches played in the initial stage, they achieved five wins, one draw, and only two losses.

The good performance didn't stop there. In the quarterfinals, the club eliminated Santos Futebol Clube with a 2-1 victory decided in the last play of the match, maintaining the status of the best campaign in the championship.

So far, Novorizontino has been defeated only twice in 2026 — both still in the group stage of the State, as visitors, against Serie A teams: Santos itself and Red Bull Bragantino.

The home performance has been one of the team's main assets. In the Paulistão, the home advantage is 100%, with four wins in four games at Jorge Ismael de Biasi. Among the results, the 4-0 thrashing over Palmeiras stands out.

Considering all competitions, the positive streak in Novo Horizonte is even greater: seven consecutive victories playing in front of their fans. The consistent campaign and strength as hosts have reignited the dream of competing in a state final again. If they surpass Corinthians, Novorizontino will reach the second Paulistão final in their history.

The first occurred in 1990, 36 years ago, in the so-called "Final Caipira," against Red Bull Bragantino — at the time known simply as Bragantino. After a draw in the first leg, the club from Bragança Paulista, coached by Vanderlei Luxemburgo, won the decisive match and took the title, leaving the Novo Horizonte team as runners-up.

Four years later, in 1994, Novorizontino won the Série C title of the Brazilian Championship. However, financial difficulties led the club to bankruptcy and consequent extinction in 1999. The project was resumed only in 2010. Since then, this is the first time the team has had the opportunity to reach the Campeonato Paulista final.

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