Corinthians crash out of Paulista U20 after losing second-half lead

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Central do Timão

·26 de setembro de 2025

Corinthians crash out of Paulista U20 after losing second-half lead

By Daniel Keppler / Central do Timão Editorial Team

On the afternoon of Friday the 26th, Corinthians visited Santos at Vila Belmiro in a match valid for the round of 16 of the Paulista Under-20 Championship. After a balanced first half, Timãozinho lost control of the match and ended up defeated 3-1, being eliminated from the state competition, since the first leg ended in a goalless draw. The only Corinthians goal was scored by Caipira.

With this result, the People’s Team ends its season in the category, as there are no more competitions to dispute. The next commitment for Corinthians Under-20 should be the Copa São Paulo, which is traditionally held in January. It’s worth remembering that Timãozinho is the current runner-up of the Copinha.

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Photo: Rodrigo Gazzanel/Ag. Corinthians

For this decisive match on Friday, Corinthians was lined up by William Batista with Matheus Corrêa; Caipira, Fernando Vera, Ruan Victor, and Robert Lopes; Thomas Lisboa, Luiz Eduardo, and Guilherme Pires; Luiz Fernando, Luiz Fábio, and Léo Agostinho. On the bench were Cadu, Lorenzo, Pellegrin, Caraguá, Yago Cândido, Drude, Araújo, Vitinho Dourado, and Tiaguinho.

Santos started the match with offensive pressure, creating the first dangerous chance at ten minutes: Mateus Xavier dribbled past the Corinthians defense and shot powerfully near the goal. The home team kept up the initiative, with Robinho Jr finding JP Chermont on the right, who crossed for Kauan Pereira to attempt a volley; the ball fell to Matheus Corrêa, but the play did not result in a goal.

After a bad back pass from Fernando Vera, Matheus Corrêa had to clear the danger but handed the ball to Robinho, who played it to Pepê; the shot was weak and stopped in the goalkeeper’s hands. Then, even under pressure, it was Corinthians who opened the scoring: from a free kick, Gabriel Caipira crossed into the box and the ball sailed over goalkeeper Rodrigo Falcão, scoring a beautiful goal.

Corinthians almost extended the lead with Luiz Fernando, who shot from distance and nearly lobbed the goalkeeper. Santos responded with Pepê Fermino shooting from outside the box, forcing a two-step save from Matheus Corrêa. Timãozinho kept seeking opportunities, and Luiz Fernando received on the left, cut inside, but shot over the bar.

In stoppage time, Santos equalized with a lucky play: Kenay shot from distance, the ball deflected on the way, picked up speed, and fooled goalkeeper Matheus Corrêa, leveling the score at 1-1 before halftime.

Corinthians went on the attack at the start of the second half, earning a dangerous free kick after Gustavo Assis brought down Léo Agostinho. Thomas Lisboa rolled it for Luiz Fernando to shoot into the wall, and the rebound was sent wide. At six minutes, Santos turned the game: from a free kick, the ball was lofted into the box, Gustavo Assis headed it to the middle, and Mateus Xavier finished to make it 2-1.

In search of an equalizer, Corinthians created a chance with Luiz Fábio, who received in depth and shot, but the defense blocked. Around the 25th minute, the pace of the match slowed, with the visiting team passing the ball without threatening, while Santos also reduced their intensity.

Santos almost extended the lead with Kauan Pereira, who made an individual play and attempted a volley, but Matheus Corrêa made the save. Corinthians made their first substitutions: Pellegrin, Caraguá, and Araújo replaced Léo Agostinho, Luiz Eduardo, and Luiz Fábio. At 27 minutes, Guilherme Pires was fouled, and Thomas Lisboa shot powerfully but wide.

Santos increased the score when Robert lost the ball on the sideline, Fernando Vera failed to mark, and Felipe Aurindo got the ball inside the six-yard box to beat the goalkeeper. Corinthians made another change, with Vitinho Dourado coming on for Thomas Lisboa.

In the final minutes, Araújo shot powerfully with his left, but Rodrigo Falcão made the save. Corinthians also brought on Drude and Tiaguinho, replacing Gabriel Caipira and Ruan Victor, but Santos maintained control of the match, sealing Timãozinho’s elimination.

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