On the night of March 6, 2025, Palmeiras and Corinthians faced off at the Allianz Parque, resulting in a tense 1-1 draw during the seventh round of the Campeonato Paulista. Despite Palmeiras having taken the lead early on and even capitalizing on their advantage when Corinthians' Yuri Alberto was sent off, the Verdão squandered opportunities to secure victory, including missing a late penalty.
Palmeiras surged to the forefront just nine minutes after kickoff when Maurício found the back of the net, thanks to a well-executed assist from Piquerez, who delivered a precise pass through the Corinthian defense. The home side, boosted by the energy of their enthusiastic supporters, pressured their rivals throughout the first half, limiting their chances.
Corinthians, facing substantial pressure, finally equalized just before the halftime whistle. A defensive error by Richard Ríos allowed Memphis Depay to set up Yuri Alberto for the equalizer, leaving Palmeiras rattled. With the scores level at halftime, expectations loomed high for both sides as they prepared for the next 45 minutes.
The second half of the match became increasingly dramatic. Corinthians found themselves reduced to ten men when Yuri Alberto was shown his second yellow card for simulation, effectively leaving his team to fend off waves of Palmeiras' attacks. The home side continued to dominate possession, showing relentless intent to regain their lead.
Despite the one-man advantage, Palmeiras struggled to convert their dominance on the pitch to points on the scoreboard. The pivotal moment arrived during stoppage time when Estêvão was brought down inside the box, giving him the chance to seal the game from the penalty spot. Unfortunately for the young forward, Hugo Souza, the Corinthians goalkeeper, showcased his skills by making a stunning save, keeping the scoreline locked at 1-1.
Following the match, Estêvão appeared visibly emotional, succumbing to tears as he dealt with the weight of the missed opportunity. His coach, Abel Ferreira, provided reassurance to the young attacker, stating, "First, I have to thank all the fans for their support. Estêvão is not the only one who fails; even the best players have their off days. Football is unpredictable, and we must stick together as a team."
Weverton, Palmeiras’ veteran goalkeeper, praised Estêvão's overall performance, asserting, "It’s natural to feel down after such moments, but he played exceptionally well. He generated the penalty and fought for the team's cause all night. We wanted the win, especially because it's the derby, but sometimes things don't go as planned. We need to regroup for our next match."
With this draw, Palmeiras elevated their points tally to 12, placing them second in Group D, just behind São Bernardo, which has 16 points. Meanwhile, Corinthians continue to lead Group A, boasting 19 points, four points clear of Mirassol. Coaches and players acknowledged the tactical battles through the match, indicating promising adaptations heading forward.
Abel reflected on the match, emphasizing, "We should have won this game clearly, but football doesn't always go the way we deserve. We created many chances, and this match will serve as valuable experience for the team moving forward."
The next challenge for the Verdão is set for Sunday, March 9, when they take on Água Santa at the Estádio Mané Garrincha. Fans remain hopeful for their team's performance, especially after witnessing the intensity of the first derby of the year.