O Corinthians started with an advantage in the fight for a place in the final of the Copa do Brasill. At Mineirão, the team led by Dorival Júnior showed organization from the first minutes and defeated Cruzeiro 1-0 this Wednesday (10/12). The only goal of the match came in the first half, with Memphis Depay.
With the result, the São Paulo team reaches the decisive semi-final clash and can draw at home. Cruzeiro needs to win by two goals at the Neo Química Arena to advance directly. If they win by just one goal, the decision will go to penalties.
The reunion between the clubs is scheduled for Sunday (14/12), at 6pm (Brasília time), in São Paulo (SP).
Cruzeiro x Corinthians: what the first half was like
The match started at an intense pace. Corinthians advanced their lines, put pressure on the ball and quickly imposed themselves. The aggressive stance paid off in the 22nd minute: Memphis Depay appeared in the small area, beat Fabrício Bruno and sent it into the net.
TIMAN’S GOAL! 🔟
Two strokes. Opportunism and open scoring for the @Corinthians. It’s from @Memphis ! 🦅 #CopaBetanoDoBrasil pic.twitter.com/HI2OLwApUq
— Copa do Brasil (@CopaDoBrasilCBF) December 11, 2025
Cruzeiro reacted soon after, creating dangerous opportunities with Matheus Pereira and Kaio Jorge, but faced the good performance of Hugo Souza. The Minas Gerais team also suffered from the physical condition of Villalba, who played with a limp during much of the initial stage and had to be replaced at half-time.
Cruzeiro x Corinthians: how was the second half
On the way back to the second half, Cruzeiro took control of the match. With possession of the ball and offensive volume, the team from Minas Gerais circled the Corinthian area and forced Hugo Souza to make important saves.
AND THIS DEFENSE FROM HUGO SOUZA? 🧤✖️
Corinthians’ wall closed the goal and prevented Cruzeiro from equalizing! We have a game!!! 🔥🔥🔥#CopaBetanoDoBrasil #Cruise #Corinthians pic.twitter.com/uuzMR1jTPo
— Copa do Brasil (@CopaDoBrasilCBF) December 11, 2025
Leonardo Jardim used more offensive options, placing Sinisterra and then Gabigol to try to increase the intensity of the attack. But, nervous and imprecise, the celestial team accumulated mistakes and were unable to turn their dominance into a goal. Corinthians, on the other hand, managed the advantage well, controlled the pace of the game and held the score until the final whistle.
To make matters worse for Cruzeiro, midfielder Lucas Romero received a yellow card at the end and is suspended for the second leg.
Cruzeiro 0 x 1 Corinthians: game sheet
Cruise: Cássio, William, Fabrício Bruno, Villalba (Jonathan Jesus) and Kaiki; Romero, Lucas Silva (Eduardo), Christian and Matheus Pereira; Keny Arroyo (Gabigol) and Kaio Jorge. Technical: Leonardo Jardim.
Corinthians: Hugo Souza; Matheuzinho, André Ramalho, Gustavo Henrique and Matheus Bidu; José Martínez (Charles), Maycon, André Carrillo (André) and Breno Bidon (Angeleri); Yuri Alberto (Vitinho) and Memphis Depay (Rodrigo Garro). Technical: Dorival Junior.
Match Details
- Copa do Brasil 2025 semi-final – first leg
- Data: December 10, 2025
- Time: 9:30 pm (Brasília time)
- Local: Mineirão, Belo Horizonte (MG)
Arbitration:
Referee: Anderson Daronco (RS)
Assistants: Rafael da Silva Alves (RS) and Maira Mastella Moreira (RS)
VAR: Rodrigo Of Aloneso (SC)
Gol: Memphis Depay (Corinthians) – 22’/1st half
Yellow cards:
Cruzeiro: Matheus Pereira, Lucas Romero and Fabrício Bruno
Corinthians: Memphis Depay, Hugo Souza, André, Ángel Romero and Gustavo Henrique
Public: 59,052 payers
Income: R$ 6.376.848,02
MORE: Does Memphis Depay have a contract until when with Corinthians? Will you renew?
