Less than a month after winning the Copa do Brasil and eight days after presenting itself again in 2026, Corinthians returned to the field this Sunday (11) to debut in the Campeonato Paulista. The black and white team beat Ponte Preta 3-0, with goals from André Ramalho, Gustavo Henrique and André Luiz, in an afternoon that featured a tribute to Ángel Romero, the Paraguayan striker who became the foreign player with the most appearances in the club’s history, with 377 appearances.
The current tournament champion started the game more offensively, trying to break through the opponent’s defense with some vertical passes and infiltration into the area. The first good finish came with a strong shot from Matheuzinho from outside the area, in the 14th minute, which was saved by Diogo Silva.
Halfway through the first half, the home team reached almost 90% possession of the ball, but with few dangerous moments. Gui Negão had a strange chance, when the ball hit him and went close to the goal after Ponte’s defense tried to clear it from the area, and Gustavo Henrique also tried to head a cross from Matheus Bidu, but it stopped at the goalkeeper.
Ponte Preta —who also won a national title in 2025, series C of the Brazilian Championship— reached the target for the first time only in stoppage time: on the left, Jeh advanced into the area and shot with a pointer over Hugo Souza, who sent it to the corner. In the next play, the Corinthians goalkeeper had to work again to prevent Bidu from making a goal.
On the way back from the break, Gustavo Henrique tried to reach the goal twice more at the beginning. At six minutes, better for Diogo Silva, who had a quick reflex to save from close range. But, at nine, the Corinthians defender managed to open the scoring, once again with a header, after Vitinho took a corner.
The second came a few minutes later, at 17, in a move well worked by Breno Bidon and Vitinho. Gui Negão tried to cross, Matheuzinho finished inside the area and the goalkeeper saved, but the ball splashed onto midfielder André Luiz and ended up in the goal.
Corinthians also had a goal from Gui Negão disallowed due to a foul by Charles on Diogo Silva and closed the victory with a great goal from André Ramalho, who tried from midfield and filled the net in front of the organized black and white fans.
In the next round, Corinthians will face Bragantino on Thursday (15), in Bragança Paulista. Ponte plays the first at home, in Campinas, where they host Velo Clube on Wednesday (14).
