The Majestoso derby started with intensity, as Rafael made an early save, followed by Hugo and Gabriel stepping up. Then, at the 16th minute, Garro delivered a corner to the near post, Raniele broke free from the irritating Luciano, and headed home to make it 1–0.
Corinthians looked the better side against São Paulo and continued to dominate, coming closer to a second goal than conceding an equalizer.
Heavy rain poured over Itaquera, further fueling the passionate chants of the Fiel and speeding up the action on the pristine pitch of the black-and-white stadium.
The match seemed under control until São Paulo began to press harder. Raniele made a reckless attempt to play out from the back in his own area, Bobadilla stole the ball and set up Luciano to atone for his earlier lapse by leveling the score at 1–1.
During the celebration, an object thrown at Calleri sparked tension between him and Bidu, turning what had been a peaceful contest into a heated affair.
Corinthians’ fans never learn. After being punished for racism, they misbehaved once again.
The game was halted for 13 minutes—another shameful episode in Brazilian clasicos. What a disgrace!
Bobadilla was later checked by VAR for an obscene gesture, not exactly identical to those that recently punished two Corinthians players, but similar—though without touching the “lower regions.”
The first half ended in a draw, thanks to Raniele’s irresponsible mistake. A product of Diniz’s philosophy?
In the last nine Majestoso encounters, there have been six draws, two Corinthians wins, and one for São Paulo.
Was the seventh draw in the making?
But even the second half was threatened by hooligans who threw toilet paper into the goal that Rafael was supposed to defend.
Either Itaquera receives a serious ban, or the misconduct will never stop.
The Fiel deserved to see São Paulo turn the game around.
Matheuzinho clearly disagreed. After leaving Ferreira on the ground inside the box, he got his foot to the ball to make it 2–1 in the sixth minute, set up by Carrillo, who, oddly enough, is no longer a starter.
The question remained whether the fans would light flares and hurt their team again.
They didn’t. In a move orchestrated by Garro, Bidon struck from the edge of the area to make it 3–1 in the 11th minute.
The superiority displayed in the first half was finally reflected on the scoreboard in the second.
With a thin bench, São Paulo had little left to offer.
Still, they fought with dignity, seeking a goal to reduce the deficit—without inspiration—making Hugo work.
The second half unfolded in unexpected calm, as if shame had struck those responsible for throwing objects onto the pitch, who were reportedly identified and taken to the police station.
Carrillo left the field to applause, replaced by Dieguinho in the 37th minute.
São Paulo’s changes amounted to swapping six of one for half a dozen of the other, more to avoid a rout than anything else.
The Fiel chanted “olé.”
Garro also left to a standing ovation, making way for Zakaria.
Then, bizarrely, Matheuzinho scored an own goal in the 43rd minute while trying to deflect a corner taken from the left by Cauly. All he had to do was let the ball go.
The finish became tense, and the goal difference kept Corinthians in the relegation zone.
São Paulo was gifted two goals and survived six minutes of stoppage time.