Corinthians and Guarani played to a thrilling 2-2 draw on February 23, 2025, at the Neo Química Arena during the final round of the Paulista Championship group stage.
Despite showing promise from the outset, with Romero scoring two goals, Corinthians could not hold off Guarani, who capitalized on their chances and pulled off a commendable equalizer.
This match marked the culmination of the group stage, with Corinthians safely advancing to the quarterfinals, where they will face Mirassol next, having secured the top seed with 27 points. Guarani, on the other hand, failed to qualify, wrapping up their campaign with just 13 points.
The game kicked off with high anticipation, both teams desperate for points; Corinthians to solidify their playoff strategy, and Guarani to maintain their slim hopes of qualification. Early energy surged through the stadium as fans packed the arena, buzzing with excitement.
Corinthians, known for their dominating home performances, set the tempo early on. At the 17th minute, Romero opened the scoring after receiving an excellent cross from Matheus Bidu. His controlled touch allowed him to bypass the defender and finish smoothly, putting the Timão (Corinthians) one goal up.
Guarani soon showed their resilience, responding well to the setback. They worked tirelessly, creating opportunities throughout the first half. Their efforts bore fruit just before the halftime whistle when Rafael Bilu equalized with style. A clever cross from João Victor found Bilu, who fired home from close range, leaving goalkeeper Hugo Souza with no chance. The match was level at 1-1 as the teams headed for the break.
After halftime, any notion of maintaining momentum was quickly dashed when Guarani managed to turn the tide. João Marcelo delivered what would turn out to be the go-ahead goal at the 59th minute, tapping in from close range following another dangerous counter-attack. This put the Bugre (Guarani) ahead 2-1 and sent their supporters roaring with delight.
Faced with the threat of defeat, Corinthians ramped up their attacks, desperately seeking to salvage at least a point. Romero, ever the influential figure, turned on the style once again at the 66th minute. After receiving the ball from Memphis, he showcased his impeccable control, leveling the score at 2-2 with his second goal of the night.
Despite being on the back foot for portions of the match, the draw ensured Corinthians secured their top position as they prepare for the knockouts. Their coach, Ramón Díaz, opted to rotate players strategically, resting several key players for the upcoming Libertadores encounter against Universidad Central on February 26. Despite the changes, players like Romero and Memphis proved to be daring, keeping their side competitive.
Guarani saw the match as a chance to break their long-standing winless streak at the Neo Química Arena, without victory since 2001. They fought valiantly but fell short, closing the door on their playoff aspirations.
After the match, coach Maurício Souza lamented the missed opportunities but acknowledged the need for improvement as they look toward the Serie C season.
The match ended with the scoreboard reading 2-2, leaving both teams with contrasting emotions as they headed their separate ways. With Corinthians excited for their next challenge and Guarani preparing to regroup, fans were left reminiscing about the fireworks showcased at the Neo Química Arena this evening.