In a thrilling encounter at the Estádio Maião on Saturday night, Mirassol achieved a historic victory against Corinthians, winning 2-1 in the eighth round of the Brasileirão. This marked Mirassol's first win ever against the Timão in 15 attempts, showcasing their resilience and determination.
The match began with a slow tempo, but tension escalated when Igor Coronado was fouled in the 27th minute, leading to a penalty for Corinthians after a VAR review confirmed a handball by Neto Moura. Memphis Depay stepped up to take the penalty, opting for a cheeky "cavadinha" (chip shot), but Mirassol's goalkeeper Walter was quick to react, diving to his right to make the save. The rebound fell to Memphis, who missed the opportunity to score again, sending the ball wide.
Following the penalty miss, a confrontation broke out between players, resulting in a yellow card for João Victor of Mirassol, who was among those confronting Memphis. Despite the chaos, Corinthians managed to hold onto their advantage heading into halftime.
As the second half commenced, the game took a dramatic turn. Just four minutes in, Edson Carioca found the net for Mirassol, leveling the score at 1-1. Cristian had made a well-timed run down the left flank, receiving a pass from Reinaldo before delivering a low cross that Edson expertly tapped in from close range.
Mirassol's momentum continued to build, and in the 64th minute, Gabriel scored the winner, completing a stunning turnaround for the home side. The goal came after Iury Castilho received a long ball, cut inside past Matheuzinho, and struck a shot that deflected off a defender and over Hugo, Corinthians' goalkeeper, before Gabriel finished it off with a deft touch that hit the crossbar before settling in the net.
Corinthians, now trailing 2-1, struggled to regain control of the match. Despite several attempts to equalize, including a notable save from Hugo in the 22nd minute that denied Edson a second goal, the Timão could not find the back of the net. Late in the game, Matheus Bianqui appeared to have scored a third for Mirassol, but the goal was disallowed after VAR intervention for a handball.
The final whistle confirmed Mirassol's victory, which not only secured them three crucial points but also lifted them out of the relegation zone, matching Corinthians' total of 10 points in the standings. The result places Corinthians in eighth and Mirassol in tenth, with both teams now looking ahead to their upcoming fixtures.
Corinthians will next face Racing (URU) on Thursday, May 15, in the Copa Sul-Americana, while Mirassol will prepare for a challenging encounter against Internacional at Beira-Rio on Sunday, May 18. This victory marks a significant milestone for Mirassol, who had previously gone 14 matches without a win against Corinthians.
As the teams reflected on the match, Mirassol's coach Rafael Guanaes expressed pride in his players' performance, stating, "We showed great character to come back from behind and secure this win. It’s a historic moment for our club, and we’ll build on this momentum moving forward." Meanwhile, Corinthians' coach Dorival Júnior acknowledged the need for improvement, particularly in handling pressure situations, saying, "We need to learn from this experience and ensure we capitalize on our chances next time."
With the Brasileirão season still young, both teams have plenty to play for, and this match will surely be a talking point for weeks to come. As fans eagerly await their next games, the rivalry continues to heat up, promising more exciting football ahead.
