Corinthians and Cruzeiro played an exciting match this Sunday 14/12, in the second leg of the Copa do Brasil, in the packed Neo Química Arena. With the advantage of a draw after winning 1-0 in Belo Horizonte, Timão saw Raposa take a 2-0 lead, thanks to two goals from Arroyo. Only after that, when elimination became imminent, did the Corinthians wake up, reduced to Bidu and almost reached the draw. However, with the score 2-1 for Cruzeiro after 90 minutes, the decision for the place went to penalties. Cassio saved Yuri Alberto’s shot. But Hugo Souza defended the accusations of Gabigol (who would be cool and Raposa would be the winner) and Wallace. Time 5 to 4.
Corinthians will now try to win their fourth title, as they won in 1995, 2002 and 2009. They will now face the winner of Fluminense x Vasco in the final, who will play the second leg on Sunday evening, at 8:30 p.m. (Brasilia time), at the Maracanã. In the first leg, Vasco won 2-1.
Cruzeiro performance in the first half
As expected, the Corinthians, less technical and playing for a draw, started the match more closed. Cruzeiro had more possession of the ball and looked to attack. More incisive, the minors dominated the first 25 minutes, during which they finished five times, compared to none from Timão. The best chance came from Kaio Jorge on the left, who crossed on a volley from Matheus Pereira. Hugo Souza made a partial save and, on the rebound, Sinisterra almost opened the scoring, but Gustavo Henrique blocked it and sent it for a corner.
Corinthians’ most dangerous moment was a clumsy strike from Maycon, following a cross from the right, which gave Cássio some work to dodge. In the 30th minute, Sinisterra, from Cruzeiro, injured his left leg and left the field for Arroyo’s entry.
With more ball possession, clearer chances and very active wingers, Raposa finally managed to open the scoring in the 39th minute. After a long exchange of passes, full-back William passed the ball to Christian, who crossed for Arroyo’s header, anticipating Matheusinho’s marking. Raposa went into the break with an advantage and the knockout stage was completely open. Cruzeiro almost went wide in the 42nd minute, during a counter-attack: Matheus Pereira, on the left, crossed for Kaio Jorge, but the Corinthians defense intercepted him. Timão before the break, losing only 1-0 was a profit.
The fox enlarges
The final stage arrived and the Corinthians returned with two changes: Raniele replacing Martínez and Garro replacing Carrillo. Timão returned more active in attack and had a dangerous free kick taken by Memphis, but it was Cruzeiro who found the net. On the counterattack, Lucas Silva finds Kaio Jorge free. The striker took off and rolled the ball for Kenny Arroyo to push into the empty goal. Initially the move was called off due to offside, but VAR confirmed the legal position. At that point, it was Cruzeiro who was heading to the final.
Corinthians scores and sets Fiel on fire
But after nine minutes, Corinthians managed to pull one back. From a free kick, Garro lifted the ball into the area, there was a deflection from Ramalho, Cássio played very poorly and the ball was left for Bidu to score, blasting Fiel on Itaquera.
This failure left Cássio visibly nervous. He almost missed another Memphis shot, but managed to send it to a corner. Cruzeiro felt the blow and Corinthians started to put pressure. In another misguided start from Cássio, Garro practically received a gift and finished to save the Cruzeiro keeper, who sent it into the corner. In the 18th minute, Bidu hit the post with a bicycle kick. Three minutes later, it was Bidon’s turn to hit the post. Fiel burned Itaquera, while the Corinthians swallowed Cruzeiro. However, after 25 minutes the game entered a moment of greater study and caution.
On penalties, Timão gave
So with Cruzeiro winning 2-1, the decision for the place went to penalties. It is worth remembering that in the 46th minute of the final stage, coach Leonardo Jardim put Wallace, Wanderson and Gabigol on the field exclusively for penalties. Wanderson converted his kick, but, in the fifth time, Gabigol hit badly and Hugo Souza saved. If he scored, Cruzeiro would be in the final, as Yuri Alberto had wasted his charge on Timão. Alternating the charges, Wanderson stopped on the hero Hugo Souza, who guaranteed the Corinthians in the fight for the fourth title of the Brazilian Cup.
For the cruise: Matheus Pereira, Wanderson, William and Lucas Silva scored; Hugo Souza saved Gabigol and Wallace’s accusations.
For the Corinthians: Memphis Depay, Garro, Vitinho, Gustavo Henrique and Bidon scored; Cassio defended Yuri Alberto’s accusation.
CORINTHIANS 1X2 CRUZEIRO (on penalties, Corinthians 5 to 4)
Copa do Brasil semi-final (second leg)
Date : 14/12/2025
Location: Neo Química Arena, São Paulo (SP)
Goals: Arroyo, 39’/1st Q (0-1); Arroyo, 4’/2ºV (0-2); Bidu, 9’/2nd T (1-2)
CORINTHIANS: Hugo Souza, Matheuzinho, André Ramalho, Gustavo Henrique and Matheus Bidu; José Martínez (Raniele, half-time), Maycon (Vitinho, 41’/2nd quarter), André Carrillo (Garro, half-time) and Breno Bidon; Memphis Depay and Youri Alberto. Technical: Dorival Junior.
CRUISE:Cassio; William, Fabricio Bruno, Jonathan Jesus, Kaiki; Matheus Henrique (Wallace, 46’/2nd Q), Lucas Silva and Matheus Pereira; Christian (Eduardo, 42’/2ndQ), Kaio Jorge (Gabigol, 46’/2ndQ) and Sinisterra (Arroyo, 30’1/1stQ and, later, Wanderson, 46’/2ndQ). Technical: Leonard Jardim.
Arbitrator: Rodrigo José Pereira Lima (PE)
Assistants: Nailton Júnior de Sousa Oliveira (CE) and Victor Hugo Imazu dos Santos (PR)
VAR: Rafael Traci (SC)
Yellow cards: Bidon, André Ramalho, Raniele (COR); Lucas Silva, Matheus Henrique (CRU)
Red cards:-
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