Barcelona Sporting Club delivered a remarkable performance on March 5, 2025, decisively defeating Corinthians 3-0 during the first leg of Phase 3 of the Copa Libertadores at the Estadio Banco Pichincha in Guayaquil, Ecuador. The match showcased Barcelona's dominance as they established a strong foothold heading toward the tournament's group stage.
Janner Corozo emerged as the star of the night, netting two goals, including one from the penalty spot, and Octavio Rivero added another to round off the scoring. The home crowd erupted with joy as Barcelona demonstrated their tactical superiority and aggressive play style, which gave them the edge over their Brazilian rivals.
The match began with high intensity, as Barcelona sought to dictate the pace from the outset. Leonai Souza threatened the Corinthians' defense early on with a shot narrowly missing the target. The pressure paid off when Bryan Carabalí was fouled inside the penalty area, resulting in a penalty awarded to Barcelona. Corozo confidently stepped up to convert the penalty at the stroke of halftime, putting Barcelona up 1-0 and sending the home crowd wild.
At the start of the second half, changes were made by Corinthians' coach Ramón Díaz, including the removal of Félix Torres, who was on a yellow card. Despite these efforts, Barcelona maintained their attacking momentum, showcasing impressive collaboration on the pitch. Just moments after the penalty goal, José Contreras, Barcelona's goalkeeper, thwarted a close-range effort from Corinthians' Romero, denying them any early momentum.
Barcelona continued to press aggressively, and their efforts bore fruit again when Octavio Rivero capitalized on a fine assist from Carabalí, heading the ball home to extend the lead to 2-0. The Ecuadorians did not take their foot off the pedal, as they continued creating chances, with another goal from Corozo disallowed for offside shortly thereafter.
The final nail came at 84 minutes when Corozo struck again, this time finishing off another slick team move with precision. His second goal sparked jubilation among the local supporters, who witnessed their side produce one of the most commanding performances of the tournament.
Throughout the match, discipline was illustrated with multiple yellow cards issued to both teams. Notably, Corozo and several Corinthians players received cautions as tensions mounted. Gustavo Henrique, the Corinthians defender, received a yellow card and contributed to the visitors’ frantic defensive efforts as they struggled to contain Barcelona's constant pressure.
Despite some promising moments, including Maycon hitting the post and Memphis Depay being forced off after frustration with the local fans, Corinthians exhibited difficulties breaking down the solid Barcelona defense. The high-energy pace of the match and Barcelona's strategic gameplay left them little room for error.
The match officials, led by referee Darío Herrera, managed the game's flow amid mounting tensions and multiple fouls, ensuring the contest remained under control.
Barcelona now travels to Brazil for the return leg on March 12, 2025, where they will seek to maintain their strong advantage. With the victory, they have placed themselves within sight of the group stage, needing only to secure another solid performance to advance.
Currently, Barcelona SC has not tasted defeat since October 2024, emphasizing a positive trend leading up to their Copa Libertadores campaign. Conversely, Corinthians will have to regroup quickly, as they prepare for their upcoming match against Santos, aiming to shift focus back to their domestic league.
Fans globally will be watching closely to see if Barcelona can continue their impressive run next week, as both teams have plenty at stake. With their stunning victory and the upcoming challenges, the excitement surrounding these fixtures remains palpable.