The ball just wasn't going in, but permission came at last
No coração do futebol brasileiro, o Corinthians cumpriu seu rito de passagem na Neo Química Arena, eliminando o Barra-SC com um placar agregado de 2-0 e garantindo vaga nas quartas de final da Copa do Brasil. Mais do que a classificação em si, a noite foi marcada pelo retorno simbólico de Yuri Alberto ao caminho do gol, encerrando um jejum de nove jogos com um toque de classe que revelou tanto alívio quanto propósito. Em esportes como na vida, há vitórias que importam menos pelo que conquistam do que pelo que restauram.
- O peso de nove jogos sem marcar transformava cada chance desperdiçada de Yuri Alberto em uma tensão crescente dentro do estádio.
- O Corinthians dominou a partida com clareza, mas a trave, o goleiro Ewerton e a imprecisão conspiraram para adiar o gol que todos esperavam.
- A pressão aumentou no segundo tempo, com Garro e Yuri Alberto combinando em sequências rápidas e Gabriel Paulista quase marcando um golaço de fora da área.
- No minuto 38 da etapa final, Yuri Alberto recebeu de Garro e, com frieza, tocou por cima do goleiro para selar a classificação e encerrar seu próprio jejum.
- O Corinthians aguarda agora o sorteio do CBF em 26 de maio para conhecer seu adversário nas quartas de final, mantendo vivo o sonho do título.
O Corinthians confirmou sua vaga nas quartas de final da Copa do Brasil na noite de quinta-feira, vencendo o Barra-SC por 1-0 na Neo Química Arena e fechando o confronto com placar agregado de 2-0. A partida foi menos sobre suspense e mais sobre execução: o time paulista controlou o jogo do início ao fim, mas precisou de paciência para transformar domínio em gol.
No primeiro tempo, as oportunidades apareceram cedo. Garro acertou a trave em cobrança de falta aos nove minutos, e Yuri Alberto desperdiçou um a um com o goleiro Ewerton aos 29, com o ângulo trabalhando contra ele. Aos 37, Ewerton voltou a aparecer para negar o centroavante após cruzamento de Bidon. O Barra-SC mal ameaçou — um cabeceio de Matheus Barbosa aos 43 minutos foi o máximo que ofereceram.
O segundo tempo trouxe intensidade renovada. Gabriel Paulista chegou a acertar a trave em chute de longe, e a defesa visitante foi se fechando progressivamente diante da pressão corintiana. O gol que faltava veio aos 38 minutos da etapa final: Garro lançou Yuri Alberto pelo meio, e o atacante mostrou calma para levantar a bola sobre Ewerton e marcar. Era o fim de um jejum de nove jogos — um gol limpo, necessário e carregado de alívio.
Agora, o clube aguarda o sorteio da CBF, marcado para 26 de maio, que definirá o adversário nas quartas de final da competição.
Corinthians moved into the Copa do Brasil quarterfinals on Thursday night with a 1-0 victory over Barra-SC at the Neo Química Arena, securing passage with a combined 2-0 scoreline across two legs. The goal came from Yuri Alberto in the 38th minute of the second half—a moment that carried particular weight, as the striker had gone nine consecutive matches without finding the net.
The São Paulo club had already built a cushion in the first leg, winning that encounter by the same 1-0 margin. This return fixture, played in front of their home crowd, was less about drama than about execution. Corinthians controlled the rhythm throughout, pressing forward with purpose, though they struggled in the opening period to translate their territorial advantage into actual scoring chances that stuck.
The first half saw Corinthians create danger early. In the ninth minute, Garro's free kick struck the crossbar and nearly broke the deadlock. Twenty minutes later, Yuri Alberto received a pass from Garro down the left flank and found himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Ewerton, but the angle worked against him and his shot went wide. The same player had another moment at the 37-minute mark when a cross from Bidon found him in the box, but Ewerton was there to deny him again. Barra-SC offered little in response—a headed chance from Matheus Barbosa in the 43rd minute was the closest they came, easily handled by Hugo Souza.
Corinthians emerged from halftime with increased intensity. By the 18th minute of the second period, Garro and Yuri Alberto were combining to create openings in quick succession. Gabriel Paulista then tested Ewerton from distance, striking the crossbar with a shot that nearly became spectacular. The pressure mounted steadily, and Barra-SC tightened their defensive shape in response, looking to absorb the waves of attack rather than generate their own threat.
The breakthrough arrived at the 38-minute mark. Garro fed Yuri Alberto through the middle of the field, and the striker showed composure, lifting the ball over the advancing Ewerton to find the net. It was a clean finish—the kind that ends a drought and settles a match. With that goal, Corinthians had done what they needed to do: advance without drama, without needing extra time or penalties, and with their striker finally back among the scorers.
The club now waits to learn their quarterfinal opponent. The CBF will conduct the draw on May 26, determining which team Corinthians faces next in their pursuit of the Copa do Brasil title.
Notable Quotes
Yuri Alberto ended a nine-game scoring drought with a well-executed finish over the goalkeeper in the 38th minute— Match report
The Hearth Conversation Another angle on the story
Nine games without a goal is a long stretch for a striker. How much weight was that carrying into this match?
It was the kind of thing that builds quietly. Yuri Alberto had been playing, creating space, getting into positions—but the ball just wasn't going in. You could feel it in how the team played around him, almost like they were trying a little too hard to get him involved. When he finished that one in the second half, it wasn't just relief. It was permission to move forward.
Corinthians dominated the first half but couldn't score. That's a familiar frustration in football.
Exactly. They had the game in their hands from the opening minutes. Garro hit the post early, Yuri had two clear chances—one one-on-one with the keeper. They were the better team by a distance, but football doesn't reward you for controlling the ball. It rewards you for what you do with it.
Did Barra-SC ever look like they could steal something?
Not really. They had one decent header in the first half, but Hugo Souza didn't have to work hard. Barra came to defend, and they did it competently, but they never created the kind of moment that makes you think an upset is brewing. Corinthians just needed patience.
The second half was different in tone?
Much more aggressive. Corinthians came out pressing higher, moving the ball faster. Barra had to sit deeper, which actually gave Corinthians more space to operate. That's when you saw the real quality—Garro and Yuri combining, Gabriel Paulista striking the post. It felt inevitable.
What does this mean for what comes next?
They're through to the quarterfinals with a clean sheet across two matches. No injuries, no drama, no need to dig deep emotionally. Yuri Alberto is back scoring. That matters more than the scoreline itself. When you're chasing a title, you want your striker confident.