Corinthians is very close to its fifth consecutive title – and sixth overall – of the Brasileirão Feminino A1. This Sunday (15), in a match that was broadcast by TV BrazilTimão beat São Paulo 3-1 at Morumbis, in the first game of the 2024 final. With the result, they could even lose by one goal at home, in the return match, next Sunday, at Neo Química Arena and still win the trophy once again.
Victória Albuquerque scored twice for the Brabas, who opened the scoring with Millene. The tricolor – who are competing in a Brazilian Championship final for the first time and scored at the end with Ariel Godoi – must try to secure a historic triumph next week.
Just over 28,000 people attended the stadium, most of them cheering for the Tricolor team, playing at home. After a period of slight dominance by São Paulo, Corinthians scored a goal with practically their first dangerous advance. In the 22nd minute, Vic Albuquerque crossed from the right, Letícia Alves fixed her eyes on the ball and did not see Millene coming up behind her to finish for the goal.
São Paulo created good chances, especially with Aline Milene, but failed to finish. In one of them, at 30 minutes, the player stole the ball in the Corinthians area but shot over the bar, past goalkeeper Nicole Ramos.
In the second half, the Brabas were again precise. In the third minute, Gabi Portilho made a move on the right and crossed into the area. Millene tried to score with a backheel, Carlinha saved and Vic Albuquerque kicked hard from the rebound. Carlinha still deflected the ball, but was unable to prevent the goal, Vic’s 12th in the competition.
At an even greater disadvantage, the tricolor continued to create – and waste – opportunities. In one move, they even finished three times inside the area and around the goal, without managing to score.
Surgical, Timão reached the third goal at the end. At 43, Vic Albuquerque scored again with a cross shot from the right side. The striker’s 13th goal puts her in the running to be the top scorer of the edition. Amanda Gutierres, from Palmeiras, scored 15.
In injury time, São Paulo finally scored their goal. After Corinthians stole the ball from the ball, Duda Serrana passed to Ariel Godoi who, free inside the area, scored.
Next Sunday, Corinthians will try to reaffirm its dominance in women’s football in Brazil. This is the team’s eighth consecutive final, having won the last four championships and five of the previous seven.
Furthermore, to become champions, São Paulo will need to do something that no other team has managed to do in history: defeat the Brabas at the Neo Química Arena. To date, the team is undefeated when playing their most important games at the venue: they have 23 wins and one draw in 24 games. However, in the last duel at Neo Química, the Tricolor almost achieved the feat: they were winning 2-1 until injury time, when they were turned around to make it 3-2. Now, the team needs to not only win, but also achieve a difference of at least two goals on the scoreboard to go after the title in their first final.
