Second-half goals see Corinthians beat Santa Fe in the Libertadores | OneFootball

Corinthians faced Santa Fe on Wednesday night (15) at Neo Química Arena in a match valid for the second round of the 2026 Conmebol Libertadores group stage and won 2-0. The Alvinegro’s goals were scored by defensive midfielder Raniele and center-back Gustavo Henrique, both in the second half. With the result, Corinthians remain top of Group E with six points – four goals scored and none conceded.

The Corinthians coaching staff could not count on the following players for the match: center-back João Pedro Tchoca (sports hernia), left-backs Hugo Farias (recovering from knee surgery) and Fabrizio Angileri (left hamstring strain), defensive midfielder Charles (right heel injury), as well as forwards Kaio César (physical transition after perifibrotic inflammation resulting from a muscle injury in the right thigh), Gui Negão (grade 2 muscle injury in the right thigh), and Memphis Depay (grade 2 muscle injury in the front of the right thigh).

Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Agência Corinthians

As a result, coach Fernando Diniz started the match with the following lineup: Hugo Souza; Matheuzinho, Gustavo Henrique, Gabriel Paulista and Matheus Bidu; Raniele (Allan), André Luiz, Breno Bidon (André Carrillo) and Rodrigo Garro (Zakaria Labyad); Kayke (Jesse Lingard) and Yuri Alberto (Pedro Raul).

The bench options were: Kauê Camargo, André Ramalho, Pdro Milans, Iago Machado, Allan, André Carrillo, Matheus Pereira, Jesse Lingard, Zakaria Labyad, Vitinho and Pedro Raul.

Santa Fe lineup

Coach Pablo Repetto sent out the following starting XI: Andrés Mosquera; Helibelton Palacios, Emmanuel Olivera, Víctor Moreno and Christian Mafla; Daniel Torres, Kilian Toscano and Jhojan Torres; Luis Palacios, Omar Fernández and Hugo Rodallega.

Officiating

The referee was Juan Benítez (PAR), assisted by Milciades Saldivar (PAR) and Julio Aranda (PAR). The fourth official and VAR were Carlos Paulo Benítez (PAR) and José Méndez (PAR), respectively.

Next match

After facing Santa Fe at home in the Libertadores group stage, Corinthians turn their focus back to the Brazilian Championship. Next Saturday night (18), at 8:00 p.m. Brasília time, the Alvinegro will visit Vitória at Barradão Stadium in a match valid for the 12th round of the national tournament. Timão will look for a win after eight matches in the competition, as they sit only in 16th place with 11 points – two wins, five draws, and four defeats – with eight goals scored and 11 conceded.

First half

The opening minutes between Corinthians and Santa Fe saw the home side pressing high into the opponent’s defensive third, while the visitors showed signs they would use long balls as an alternative. Corinthians had more control of possession early on.

In the second minute, Santa Fe attacked down the right and sent a cross into the box. Gabriel Paulista let it run and goalkeeper Hugo Souza gathered it. A minute later, Corinthians built up from the back, with Rodrigo Garro, Matheus Bidu, Kayke, and Yuri Alberto linking up. The Argentine playmaker combined with Yuri Alberto, who was played to the byline on the left and sent in a low cross into the goalkeeper’s hands.

In the seventh minute, Corinthians came forward by moving the ball around and involving the opposition. However, they lost possession, and Omar Fernández was released in transition behind Matheuzinho. He cut inside and crossed for Rodallega, who got behind Gustavo Henrique and headed wide.

Shortly after, the Colombian side regained possession again and, on the counterattack, their forward was played into the space between Gustavo Henrique and Matheus Bidu, but he was quickly dispossessed. On the loose ball, André Luiz blocked a shot from outside the box. In the 12th minute, the Alvinegro threatened again. After a move by Kayke down the left, Garro made a dummy and Breno Bidon turned and shot left-footed toward the goalkeeper’s left corner, forcing a save.

In the 16th minute, Santa Fe worked a move down the left and, after trying to break into the box, the ball ended up in Hugo Souza’s hands. Two minutes later, the Alvinegro built down the right and Kayke received the ball in midfield. He chipped it first time to André Luiz, making a run into the area, but the Colombian defense managed to prevent danger and shielded the ball out for a goal kick.

Midway through the first half, Corinthians controlled the game but still had not seriously threatened the Santa Fe goalkeeper. The team showed some slowness in buildup, which in a way made the opponent’s marking easier. In the 25th minute, after a series of aerial duels, center-back Gabriel Paulista launched the ball forward toward Yuri Alberto, but the Santa Fe keeper anticipated it, came out of his area, and cleared it into touch.

Then Garro, on the right, crossed toward Kayke at the near post, but after a challenge with the opposing defender, it resulted in a goal kick. In the 28th minute, after a midfield battle, Santa Fe pressed the buildup following an error by André Luiz, and Rodallega struck first time from outside the box, with Hugo Souza parrying strongly away!

In the 30th minute, Corinthians pressed high, won the ball back, and Rodrigo Garro was brought down on the edge of the area. From the free kick, the Argentine midfielder struck it at mid-height into Mosquera’s right corner, and the keeper pushed it out for a corner! Garro took it, and the opposing defense cleared. Moments later, he was played in again near the byline and had his cross blocked. From a right-sided corner, Gustavo Henrique headed wide!

Right afterward, the Colombian side had a set piece from midfield and, after aerial challenges, Raniele cleared the danger. Yuri Alberto needed treatment after being knocked off balance by Rodallega inside the area while trying to boot the ball clear. In the 38th minute, Corinthians started a move through the middle, André Luiz received it centrally and, when trying to release Matheuzinho on the right, overhit it straight out of play.

In the 40th minute, Helibelton Palacios received the ball near the byline on the left and sent a low cross into the Corinthians box, but it went through everyone and Matheuzinho cleared it into touch. In the 42nd minute, defensive midfielder Raniele received on the left, the ball fell to Bidu, who won a corner. Rodrigo Garro took it, and the Santa Fe defense cleared.

Soon after, Rodrigo Garro was found again on the left and crossed, but the ball went beyond everyone. Then Matheuzinho picked up the loose ball on the right and won another corner from that side. Again, Garro played it low toward Yuri Alberto, who could not get a shot away. In the 44th minute, Fernández received on the left, shifted onto his right foot, crossed, and Gabriel Paulista cleared the danger.

When the clock hit 45 minutes, two more were added. In the final minute of stoppage time, Corinthians recovered the ball in defense. On the counterattack, Matheus Bidu received it in midfield and played it to Kayke on the left, but the Colombian defense cleared. Right after that, Rodrigo Garro was fouled in midfield. After a quick restart, Kayke shifted onto his right foot and shot straight down the middle at Mosquera.

At 47 minutes, the first half ended. Score: Corinthians 0-0 Santa Fe. The club from Parque São Jorge had been superior to the Colombians and produced more attacking volume, but lacked efficiency in the final actions. Set pieces were also a good weapon for Fernando Diniz’s side, especially with Gustavo Henrique, who caused problems midway through the first half.

Second half

To begin the second half, coach Fernando Diniz made no changes. The opening minutes of the final period between Corinthians and Santa Fe saw the Alvinegro trying to take control of the game. The Colombians, meanwhile, pushed up their marking and at the same time used long balls as an option.

In the second minute, Matheuzinho received on the right, cut onto his left foot, and Mosquera parried! On the rebound, Rodrigo Garro nearly turned it into the net. Following a corner, Breno Bidon crossed from the right side of the attack and the Santa Fe goalkeeper gathered it. Right after that, Rodrigo Garro received the ball centrally and spotted Matheus Bidu making a run.

Wearing No. 21, he unleashed a powerful shot and Mosquera pushed it out for a corner! From Garro’s corner kick, the opposing defense cleared it behind. From another corner, Garro delivered it in, Gustavo Henrique headed it on, and Raniele sent it into the back of the net! It’s Corinthians’ first goal! Score: Corinthians 1-0 Santa Fe!

Soon after, Santa Fe tried to respond down the right and Gustavo Henrique covered well, sending it out for a corner! From the set piece, the Corinthians defense cleared. In the ninth minute, the Colombian side came close. On a left-sided counterattack, Palacios, unmarked inside the box, lifted it over goalkeeper Hugo Souza!

Minutes later, Matheuzinho crossed toward Yuri Alberto, but the Colombian defense cleared. Then, in another move down the right, Breno Bidon shifted onto his left and crossed for Mosquera to claim the ball. After 15 minutes of the second half, Corinthians had improved compared to the first half, creating clearer scoring chances.

In the 18th minute, Matheus Bidu won the ball near the left touchline and Gustavo Henrique played it out from the back. Rodrigo Garro received it and drove forward until he was fouled in the left channel. Matheuzinho curled in a cross toward Gabriel Paulista, who headed it wide at the far post. Two minutes later, Matheuzinho sent in another dangerous cross and Mosquera claimed the ball.

Next, in a battle near the byline on the right, Matheus Bidu blocked a possible cross. From the corner, Santa Fe committed an attacking foul. Later, Garro received from André in the middle. The No. 8 then played a through ball for Yuri Alberto on the left, and the No. 9 struck it left-footed into the side netting!

In the 27th minute, Santa Fe, attacking down the left, won a corner after an interception by Raniele. Then, from the delivery, Rodallega headed wide to Hugo Souza’s left. In the 30th minute, Timão made two changes: defensive midfielder Raniele and midfielder Breno Bidon left the field for Allan and André Carrillo, respectively.

Two minutes later, Corinthians built a move down the right and, after a cross, Mosquera claimed the ball. In the 34th minute, Timão’s second goal! Rodrigo Garro swung in a free kick from midfield and Gustavo Henrique scored a beauty at the far post! Score: Corinthians 2-0 Santa Fe!

In the 38th minute, Corinthians made their third change: Kayke left the field and Jesse Lingard came on. By the 40th minute of the second half, the club from Parque São Jorge was managing the result. Finally, the last two changes: midfielder Rodrigo Garro and forward Yuri Alberto went off for Zakaria Labyad and Pedro Raul.

In the 43rd minute, Matheus Bidu shot and Pedro Raul, in an offside position, wasted a chance. When the clock reached 45 minutes, four more were added! In the first added minute, Labyad crossed from a free kick and Gustavo Henrique headed it toward the left corner, forcing a brilliant save from Mosquera! From the corner, No. 13 got another header away and the Santa Fe goalkeeper held on.

At 49 minutes, full-time! Timão win! Score: Corinthians 2-0 Santa Fe!

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