A thrilling encounter took place at Vila Belmiro as Santos managed to secure a late equalizer against Corinthians in the Campeonato Paulista. Gabigol’s powerful free kick in injury time leveled the score at 1-1. This match, played on Thursday, March 22, highlighted the dramatic ups and downs of the game.
Match Overview
Corinthians took the lead early in the match, thanks to a goal from Yuri Alberto at the 16-minute mark. However, the advantage could have been greater, as Alberto missed a penalty just three minutes prior to scoring. The first half concluded with Corinthians in control.
Late Drama
As the second half progressed, Santos applied consistent pressure. In the dying moments of the match, they were awarded a free kick just outside the box. Gabigol stepped up and shot fiercely toward the corner of the goal. Despite goalkeeper Hugo’s attempt, he failed to stop the shot, resulting in a late equalizer for Santos.
Impact on Standings
This match left a bittersweet taste for both teams. With the draw, Santos and Corinthians have each accumulated only five points in the tournament. Currently, Corinthians holds the eighth position, the final spot for advancing to the next phase, while Santos sits at ninth place and faces potential elimination.
Recent Performance
- Both teams have only one victory in their last four matches.
- Corinthians defeated Novorizontino 2-1 in their opening match.
- Santos achieved a 3-0 victory against Ponte Preta in their debut.
- Since their positive starts, both squads experienced one loss and two draws.
Upcoming Fixtures
Both teams will return to action on Sunday, March 25. Santos will face Red Bull Bragantino at 16:00 in Vila Belmiro. Later that evening, at 20:30, Corinthians will travel to challenge Velo Clube. These matches are crucial for both teams as they seek to improve their standings in the league.
