Corinthianswhich is fighting to avoid relegation to the second division in Brazil, qualified on Tuesday for the semi-finals of the South American Cupafter liquidating Strength3-0, with a goal from Paraguayan Ángel Romero and an assist from Dutchman Memphis Depay.
The team led by Argentine Ramón Díaz completed the task with flying colors, extending the victory they achieved in the first leg (0-2) and will now fight for a ticket to the final against the winner of the tie between Racing Club and Athletico Paranaense.
Romero, in an individual play, and Igor Coronado, after hunting down a rebound from João Ricardo after a shot from the Paraguayan, sealed the victory at the Neo Química Arena, with two goals at the start of the second half. Pedro Henrique completed the rout with an assist from Depay in the 82nd minute. Corinthians had already done their homework when the Dutch international, a new signing for the final stretch of the season, came off the bench.
The São Paulo team did start with Venezuelan José Martínez and Peruvian André Carrillo. The two midfielders gave substance to the team, which seems to have left behind the doubts of the beginning of the season. Quite the opposite for Fortaleza, which is finding the campaign very long after a memorable start.
The home team could have won the tie in the first half in a one-on-one that Coronado was unable to finish. In front, the team of Argentine coach Juan Pablo Vojvoda was not comfortable and was diluted in midfield. Lacking intensity, they hardly threatened Hugo Souza’s goal. Only José Welison tested the Brazilian goalkeeper from the corner of the area.
Vojvoda did not wait a minute and made three changes at the break. And there was a reaction. One of the new players, Breno Lopes, unleashed a stunning shot from outside the area that put Souza in serious trouble.
André Carrillo (Corinthians) fights for the ball with Zé Welison (Fortaleza)
The goalkeeper also had to leave the area to stop a counterattack by Lopes himself. Although the clearest chance came from Kayzer, who inexplicably missed a cross from Marinho in the six-yard box. And when Fortaleza was beginning to dream, two strikes from the Corinthian team arrived.
First, Romero controlled a change of direction by Yuri Alberto, cut inside Felipe Jonatan and shot with his left foot in the 55th minute. And second, just four minutes later, Coronado picked up a rebound from João Ricardo, after another good shot from Romero.
With qualification in the bag, the home fans enjoyed Depay in the last half hour. The former Barcelona and Atlético de Madrid player pressed, asked for the ball and provided the assist for Pedro Henrique’s final goal. A great night for a Corinthians side that is on the rise.
TECHNICAL SHEET
3 – Corinthians: Hugo Souza; Matheuzinho, Andre Ramalho, Felix Torres, Hugo; Jose Martinez (m.73, Ryan), Andre Carrillo (m.76, Charles), Breno Bidon (m.65, Rodrigo Garro), Igor Coronado; Angel Romero (m.65, Memphis Depay) and Yuri Alberto (m.73, Pedro Henrique) Coach: Ramon Diaz
0 – Strength: João Ricardo; Tinga, Brítez, Tomás Cardona, Felipe Jonatan; Pedro Augusto (m.46, Matheus Rossetto), Zé Welison, Emmanuel Martínez (m.46, Breno Lopes), Tomás Pochettino (m.46, Calebe); Marinho (m.76, Yago Pikachu) and Renato Kayzer (m.57, Juan Martín Lucero)
Coach: Juan Pablo Vojvoda
Goals: 1-0, Romero (m. 55); 2-0, Coronado (m. 59); 3-0, Pedro Henrique (m. 82)
Referee: Chilean Piero Maza cautioned Emmanuel Martinez, Renato Kayzer, Brítez, Breno Lopes and Matheuzinho
Incidents: second leg of the Copa Sudamericana quarter-finals, played at the Neo Química Arena stadium in São Paulo.
