In a very competitive match, Timão knew how to make the most of their chances, found space in Diniz’s offensive team, and took the fourth cup to Parque São Jorge
The team was champion this Sunday (21) by 2-1. The match closes the Brazilian football season and is Timão’s fourth title in the competition. It is also the fourth title for coach Dorival Júnior, who equals Felipão as the biggest winner of the World Cup. The game started intensely, as expected. Fernando Diniz’s team applied high pressure, against a Corinthians team that was looking for a counterattack. At the ten-minute mark, however, neither team had finished yet. The almost 70,000 fans at Maracanã had to wait until the 14th minute of the first half to see the first shot on goal. Yuri Alberto finished off the right side of the goal, without much danger.
Vasco returned a header from young star Rayan, who also sent the ball out. The Corinthians full-backs were a headache for Diniz. Going up to attack, Puma and Paulo Henrique gave them space behind their backs. Dorival’s team knew how to exploit this in a very intelligent way. In a run down the right flank, Matheuzinho launched Yuri Alberto, who took advantage of space in the defense, dominated and touched Léo Jardim’s exit, opening the scoring in Rio de Janeiro. Corinthians 1 to 0.
The “study” phase is over, and the game is open. The Vasco defense was shaken after the goal. Yuri Alberto finished over the goal practically alone, with Carlos Cuesta in the middle and Robert Renan carrying the ball on his back. In attack, Phelippe Coutinho found passes on both sides, but Vasco was unable to complete the plays with dangerous chances.
At 40 minutes, however, Andrés Gómez called André Ramalho to dance, cut and found the Portuguese Nuno Moreira climbing on Maycon’s back to tie the match.
In the second stage, Vasco started putting pressure on again. Corinthians also continued to look for crossed shots behind the backs of the full-backs. The match also became more heated, with some disagreements between the players.
With 15 minutes, Breno Bidon took off on the right in a beautiful move and put the attack into a four against three. Robert Renan and Cuesta were unable to deal with Yuri crossing for Memphis alone in the small area, Jardim already surrendered trying to get on top of the number 9. 2 to 1 for Timão.
Diniz bet big and replaced striker Pablo Vegetti in place of midfielder Cauan Barros, replacing Nuno Moreira. Corinthians tried to recover and defend themselves. The Giant finished, but without much danger. Even going all or nothing, the Corinthian wall resisted. Hugo Souza made a beautiful save after Rayan’s shot from outside the area in a rehearsed play.
Corinthians, champion of the Campeonato Paulista, ends the year as the only team in the state that has won titles and will compete next year in the Brazilian Super Cup against Flamengo, the Brazilian champion.
