red mist, rising tension: corinthians silence santos | OneFootball

Corinthians edge Santos in tense derby as pressure grows on Caixinha

Match Overview

Corinthians took all three points in a 1-0 win over Santos at the Neo Química Arena, in a contest defined by midfield battles and a second-half strike from Yuri Alberto. The ninth round of the 2025 Série A saw Dorival Júnior’s team hold 63 percent possession and limit Santos to only a single shot on target. The win comes at a key moment for Corinthians following their recent exit from the Copa do Brasil, while Santos’ struggles continue with the club sitting in the relegation zone after nine matches.

Tactics and Key Events

Corinthians lined up in a 4-1-4-1, using Maycon as a shield in front of an experienced back line featuring André Ramalho and Félix Torres. The structure allowed José Martínez and Igor Coronado to circulate possession and search for gaps in the Santos defense. Patience on the ball paid off midway through the second half when Martínez found Yuri Alberto, who finished to break the deadlock in the 67th minute.

Santos, coached by Pedro Caixinha, went with a 4-2-3-1 but saw little fluidity across their three attacking midfielders. Tiquinho Soares, a recent arrival, struggled to find service and was largely isolated up front. Defensive instability surfaced, exacerbated when left-back Gonzalo Escobar received a second yellow and was sent off in the 80th minute. That expulsion left the visitors unable to mount any late response.

The home side's control in midfield and careful management of their lead was evident in the passing numbers—Corinthians completed 485 of 532 passes (91 percent), while Santos conceded possession frequently, finishing with only 269 successful passes.

Player Performances

For Corinthians, André Ramalho stood out with ten duels won and 84 completed passes, anchoring a defense that gave up few chances. Félix Torres delivered two key passes and intercepts. Goal scorer Yuri Alberto was active and present throughout, his goal ultimately deciding the result.

On the Santos side, Escobar’s red card marked another disciplinary concern. Both Tiquinho Soares and Yeferson Soteldo struggled to create attacking danger, underlining the team’s ongoing difficulty integrating new signings and finding a consistent attacking threat.

Off-Field Context

Corinthians continue a period of squad transition, managing a mix of seasoned players and young prospects as the club adapts to domestic and continental targets. Their administrative reorganisation is ongoing, and a crowded calendar is forcing Dorival Júnior to rotate and adapt.

Santos face different challenges. The squad overhaul in 2025 has not yet translated into stability. Neymar Jr., still not fully fit, was absent again, while Aderlan and Diego Pituca were also out. Beyond the pitch, problems mount: pressure on Caixinha is intensifying, financial difficulties continue, and protests from supporters have grown louder with the team second from bottom after securing only five points in nine games.

Match Atmosphere and Talking Points

A crowd of 46,000—exclusively Corinthians fans due to local regulations—created a charged atmosphere. The match did not escape controversy, as referee Raphael Claus faced criticism for the decision to send off Escobar. The VAR-reviewed disallowance of a second potential goal for Yuri Alberto also sparked debate about technology’s role in Brazilian football.

With this result, Corinthians now look to build on their momentum away to Atlético-MG. Santos, meanwhile, face Vitória in the league and the looming challenge of a Copa do Brasil tie against CRB, with both on-field performance and off-field situation under close scrutiny.