On Tuesday, May 6, 2025, Corinthians faced a tough challenge in the Copa Sul-Americana, ending their match against América de Cali in a 1-1 draw at Neo Química Arena. This result has complicated their chances of advancing in the tournament, as they now sit in third place in Group C.
The match kicked off with an immediate scare for the home team. Just two minutes in, Hugo Souza was called into action, making a vital save from a shot by Navarro. Despite this early pressure from the Colombian side, Corinthians managed to find their rhythm and took control of the game.
At the 18-minute mark, the breakthrough came for the Timão. Maycon executed a brilliant sequence of passes with Yuri Alberto before setting up Memphis Depay. The Dutch forward, displaying excellent composure, struck the ball from outside the area, placing it perfectly into the corner of the net to give Corinthians a 1-0 lead.
With the momentum on their side, Corinthians continued to press for a second goal. Breno Bidon had two dangerous attempts to extend the lead, but the team failed to capitalize on their chances. The visitors, however, remained a threat, with Pestaña almost equalizing in stoppage time of the first half, hitting the post with a header.
The second half saw a shift in dynamics. Just as the Corinthians fans were hoping to see their team maintain control, disaster struck. Carrascal delivered a precise cross that found Navarro, who was unmarked and managed to equalize for América de Cali with a well-placed shot. This goal came as a shock to the home crowd, as the defense failed to react in time.
Following the equalizer, América de Cali seized the initiative, controlling the game and creating additional chances. Despite the changes made by Corinthians coach Dorival Júnior, who introduced Talles Magno and Igor Coronado to bolster the attack, the team struggled to regain their earlier momentum.
Yuri Alberto had a notable chance to put Corinthians back in front when he found himself with a header opportunity inside the six-yard box, but his attempt was weak and went straight to the goalkeeper, Soto. Memphis also tried to make an impact, taking a direct corner that forced Soto to punch the ball away to safety.
As the match progressed, Corinthians found it increasingly difficult to break through the organized defense of América de Cali. The visitors, content with the draw, focused on maintaining their position and did not allow the home team any further significant opportunities.
With the final whistle, Corinthians finished the match with just one point, now sitting on five points in Group C. América de Cali moved ahead to six points, while Huracán leads the group with seven points. The situation has become precarious for Corinthians, who will need to rely on other results to advance, especially with two tough away matches against Racing Montevideo and Huracán still ahead.
Looking forward, Corinthians will turn their attention to the Campeonato Brasileiro, where they face Mirassol on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at 18h30. This match will be crucial as they aim to regain confidence and momentum before their upcoming Sul-Americana fixtures.
As it stands, the Timão's path in the Copa Sul-Americana is fraught with challenges. They need to secure victories in their remaining matches while hoping for favorable outcomes in the other group games. The pressure is mounting, and the stakes couldn't be higher for the team as they navigate this critical juncture in their season.
