Yuri Alberto shines at the end, Corinthians overcomes suffocation and qualifies for the Libertadores

Not even the most pessimistic Corinthians fan could have predicted such a dramatic scenario. On Wednesday night (26), Timão suffered, but counted on a goal from Yuri Alberto, in the final stretch, to beat Universidad Central, from Venezuela, and advance in the preliminary phase of the Copa Libertadores da América.

In the next phase, Corinthians will face Barcelona. The Guayaquil club advanced by beating El Nacional in a purely Ecuadorian clash.

Timão started the game with everything and soon opened the scoring. Carrillo received the ball on the right, made a good play and crossed low for Yuri Alberto to get ahead of his marker and score the first goal of the night. However, the black and white party didn't last long. Two minutes later, Zapata also appeared on the right, crossed low and Cuesta appeared in the penalty area to equalize.

Corinthians were unable to find their feet in the game and almost suffered a comeback. After a cross into the box, Zapata beat the defense and headed the ball for Hugo Souza to save. The chance woke up Corinthians, who took the lead again. Matheus Bidu received the ball from Memphis in the box and only had to take it past the goalkeeper to score the second.

Yuri Alberto still had a chance to extend the lead. After the ball was left in the area, the forward turned towards the marker, but shot wide. The Venezuelans then threatened again. After a free kick, Zapata appeared to head the ball once again and Hugo saved it again. However, on the corner kick, the goalkeeper came out badly, and Adrian Martínez took advantage to tie the score before half-time.

Yuri Alberto scores in the final stretch and guarantees qualification

In the second half, Corinthians managed to create good opportunities. In the opening minutes, Memphis took a chance from the edge of the area and forced Silva to make a great save. Then, Garro took a chance from distance and sent the ball wide. The Venezuelan goalkeeper was once again up against the Dutchman. This time, the forward received the ball in the area and was stopped by Silva's point-blank save.

Just like in the first half, Timão dropped in level. The Venezuelans threatened with a shot from outside the area by Kendrys Silva, which Hugo Souza stretched out to defend. Corinthians had a good chance with Memphis, but the Dutchman headed the ball into the goalkeeper's hands.

Corinthians couldn't find any space and had difficulty attacking. However, after a deflected cross into the area, the ball fell to Yuri Alberto. The forward got away from his marker and struck hard to score his second goal of the game, Corinthians' third.

CORINTHIANS 3 X 2 CENTRAL UNIVERSITY (VEN)

Copa Libertadores - second round of the preliminary phase, second leg

Date and time : 26/02/2025, at 9:30 pm

Location : Neo Química Arena, Sao Paulo (SP)

Total attendance: 44,964 fans

Income: R$ 2,857,071.20

Goals: André Carrillo, 2'/1st half (1-0); Cuesta, 4'/1st half (1-1); Matheus Bidu, 39'/1st half (2-1); Adrian Martinez, 44'/1st half (2-2); Yuri Alberto, 43'/2nd half (3-2)

CORINTHIANS: Hugo Souza; Matheuzinho, André Ramalho, João Pedro and Matheus Bidu (Hugo, 45'/2nd half); José Martinez, Carrillo (Talles Magno, 33'/2nd half), Breno Bidon (Ángel Romero, 18'/2nd half) and Rodrigo Garro; Memphis Depay (Alex Santana, 45'/2nd half) and Yuri Alberto. Coach: Ramón Diaz.

CENTRAL UNIVERSITY: Miguel Silva; Kendrys Silva, Adrian Martínez (Meléndez, break), Simarra and Cumana (César Magallán, 26'/2nd Q); Alexander González, Solé, Zapata (Daniel Carrillo, 16'/2nd Q), Granko (Samuel Sosa, break) and Juan Cuesta (Yeiber Murillo, 33'/2nd Q); Charles Ortiz. Coach Daniel Sasso.

Referee: Wilmar Roldán (COL)

Assistants: Richard Ortiz and David Fuentes (COL)

VAR: Keiner Jimenez (COL)

Yellow Cards: Yuri Alberto and Rodrigo Garro (SCCP); Zapata and Sosa (UCV)

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