In a thrilling encounter at Neo Química Arena on Saturday, May 3, 2025, Corinthians secured a dramatic 4-2 victory over Internacional in the seventh round of the Campeonato Brasileiro. The match was marked by a standout performance from Yuri Alberto, who scored a hat-trick, leading the Timão to a crucial win.
The game kicked off at 18:30 local time, with Corinthians initially taking control. Memphis Depay played a pivotal role, assisting Yuri Alberto to open the scoring in the 25th minute. Alberto, showcasing his skill, maneuvered past defenders Vitão and Fernando before slotting the ball into the bottom corner of the net.
However, the lead was short-lived. Just 12 minutes later, Internacional struck back. After a defensive lapse from Corinthians, Braian Aguirre capitalized on a cross from Wesley, leveling the match at 1-1 in the 37th minute. The momentum shifted quickly as the visitors took the lead just before halftime. Alan Patrick set up Thiago Maia, who found the back of the net with a well-placed shot, making it 2-1 for Internacional.
As the second half began, Corinthians sought to regain control. An early attempt to equalize was thwarted when a goal by Yuri Alberto was disallowed after a VAR review revealed a foul by Matheuzinho in the buildup. The match took a decisive turn when Bruno Henrique received a second yellow card and was sent off in the 61st minute, leaving Internacional with 10 men.
Taking advantage of their numerical superiority, Corinthians pressed hard for an equalizer. Just three minutes after the red card, Matheus Bidu delivered a perfect cross, allowing Yuri Alberto to head the ball home, bringing the score to 2-2.
The Timão continued to dominate, with Memphis Depay coming close to scoring with a stunning volley that hit the crossbar. However, a second goal by Depay was again ruled out by VAR due to a foul committed by André Ramalho earlier in the play.
With the clock ticking down, Corinthians finally regained the lead in dramatic fashion. In stoppage time, Matheus Bidu was fouled in the area by Óscar Romero, prompting the referee to award a penalty after a VAR review. Yuri Alberto stepped up and confidently converted the penalty, completing his hat-trick and putting Corinthians ahead 3-2.
But the excitement didn’t end there. In the dying moments of the match, Igor Coronado added a fourth goal for Corinthians, finishing with a delightful chip over the goalkeeper Anthoni after a quick counter-attack. The final whistle blew with the score at 4-2, much to the delight of the home fans.
This victory marked the debut of coach Dorival Júnior at Neo Química Arena, and it propelled Corinthians to 10 points in the league standings, placing them seventh. Internacional, meanwhile, remained on nine points, sitting in eighth place.
Next up, Corinthians will host América de Cali on Tuesday, May 6, at 21:30 in the Copa Sul-Americana, while Internacional will travel to Colombia to face Atlético Nacional in the Libertadores on Thursday, May 8.
Overall, this match not only showcased the attacking prowess of Corinthians but also highlighted the challenges they faced, including VAR decisions and the impact of a red card. With the season still young, both teams will look to build on their performances in the coming weeks.
