A beautiful finish that broke the deadlock and sent the home crowd into relief
Em uma tarde de paciência e tensão contida na Neo Química Arena, o Corinthians encontrou no fim o que buscou durante noventa minutos: um gol de Zakaria Labyad que valeu mais do que três pontos. A vitória sobre o Atlético-MG na 17ª rodada do Brasileirão carrega o peso de quem precisa se afastar do perigo, e o retorno de Memphis Depay após três meses de ausência lembrou que o futebol também é feito de recomeços.
- O jogo ficou travado por quase toda a sua duração, com chances desperdiçadas dos dois lados e um gol anulado do Atlético-MG por impedimento, criando uma tensão crescente nas arquibancadas.
- A entrada de Memphis Depay no segundo tempo alterou o clima do estádio — não pela magia imediata, mas pelo símbolo de um jogador importante voltando à arena após três meses fora.
- Labyad rompeu o impasse nos minutos finais com um gol tecnicamente primoroso, transformando uma tarde frustrante em alívio coletivo para a torcida corintiana.
- Com 21 pontos, o Corinthians abre três pontos de vantagem sobre a zona de rebaixamento, enquanto o Atlético-MG permanece em 12º com a mesma pontuação.
- Ambos os clubes viram a página rapidamente: Corinthians enfrenta o Platense na Libertadores e Atlético recebe o Puerto Cabello na Sul-Americana, ambos na quarta-feira.
O domingo na Neo Química Arena exigiu paciência. O Corinthians derrotou o Atlético-MG por 1 a 0 na 17ª rodada do Brasileirão, mas o placar simples esconde uma tarde de poucas oportunidades claras e muita tensão acumulada. Por longos trechos, o jogo pareceu caminhar para um empate sem gols — o tipo de partida que testa a fé de qualquer torcedor.
O primeiro tempo teve movimentação sem definição. Gustavo Henrique tentou de cruzado logo no início, Tomás Cuello cabeceou alto pelo Atlético, e Rodrigo Garro arriscou de longe sem sucesso. O lance mais próximo de um gol foi o de Cuello, anulado por impedimento na marca dos 23 minutos.
O segundo tempo começou no mesmo ritmo cauteloso, até que Memphis Depay entrou em campo no 16º minuto da etapa final. O holandês não havia jogado desde 22 de março, quando o Corinthians empatou com o Flamengo. Sua presença não desbloqueou o jogo imediatamente, mas mudou algo no ar do estádio. Matheuzinho ainda testou o goleiro Everson de fora da área, sem êxito.
Foi Zakaria Labyad quem resolveu. Nos minutos finais, o meia acertou um belo chute que quebrou o equilíbrio e garantiu os três pontos. Para o Corinthians, a vitória significa 21 pontos e uma margem de três pontos acima do Santos, primeiro time na zona de rebaixamento. Para Memphis, significa um recomeço — a volta ao campo depois de meses de espera, e a chance de reconquistar seu espaço no time.
Sunday's match at Neo Química Arena belonged to Corinthians, though it took until the final minutes to prove it. The São Paulo club defeated Atlético-MG 1-0 in the seventeenth round of Brazil's top division, a result that felt harder-won than the scoreline suggests. For most of the afternoon, both teams circled each other without finding clear openings. It was the kind of match that could have ended goalless, the kind that tests patience. Then, in the closing stretch, Zakaria Labyad struck—a beautiful finish that broke the deadlock and sent the home crowd into relief.
The day belonged as much to Memphis Depay's return as it did to the victory itself. The Dutch forward had been absent from competition for three months, his last appearance coming on March 22 in a 1-1 draw against Flamengo. On Sunday, he entered the field in the 16th minute of the second half, coming off the bench to rejoin his teammates. His presence alone shifted something in the stadium's energy, even if the match remained tightly contested.
Corinthians had started with purpose. In the opening minutes, defender Gustavo Henrique received a crisp pass from striker Yuri Alberto and fired a cross-shot that sailed wide of the target. Atlético answered through winger Tomás Cuello, whose header went high after a good cross from midfielder Bernard. The pattern continued through the first half—chances created, chances wasted. Matheus Bidu pushed forward from left back and found Breno Bidon in space, but the midfielder's shot went nowhere. Cuello thought he had scored for Atlético in the 23rd minute, but the referee ruled it out for offside. Rodrigo Garro tried his luck from distance late in the half, but goalkeeper Everson gathered it cleanly.
The second half began with the same cautious rhythm. Both teams seemed content to probe without committing fully to attack. Then Memphis arrived, and while his presence did not immediately unlock the game, it signaled Corinthians' intent to push for a winner. The match remained locked until the 41st minute, when Matheuzinho tested Everson from outside the box—another save, another moment of stalemate. It was Zakaria Labyad who finally cut through the tension, striking a goal that was both technically excellent and emotionally necessary. The midfielder's finish sealed the three points and sent Corinthians home satisfied.
The victory moved Corinthians to 21 points, opening a three-point gap above Santos, who occupy the first position in the relegation zone. Atlético-MG, meanwhile, remains 12th with the same 21 points. Both clubs now turn their attention to continental competition. Corinthians travels to face Platense in the Copa Libertadores on Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. Brasília time, while Atlético hosts Puerto Cabello in the Copa Sudamericana at 7 p.m. the same evening. For Corinthians, the win provides momentum heading into that fixture. For Memphis, it marks the beginning of what comes next—a return to the pitch after months away, a chance to rebuild his place in the team's plans.
Citações Notáveis
Memphis Depay had been absent from competition for three months, his last appearance coming on March 22 in a 1-1 draw against Flamengo— Match report
A Conversa do Hearth Outra perspectiva sobre a história
Why did this match feel so difficult, even though Corinthians won?
Because neither team could find rhythm. It was a match of half-chances and missed opportunities—the kind where you're never sure if a goal will come at all.
What changed when Memphis came on?
Psychologically, everything. The crowd felt it. A player of his caliber returning after three months carries weight. But tactically, the game stayed tight. He didn't transform it instantly—Labyad did that.
So the late goal was almost inevitable?
Not inevitable, but it felt like the match was waiting for something to break. Labyad's finish was clean and beautiful, but it came because both teams were exhausted and the space finally opened.
How much does this three-point cushion matter for Corinthians?
It matters enormously. They're not in the fight yet, but they're breathing easier. Santos is right there in the relegation zone. One bad week and that gap closes.
What does Memphis's return mean for the rest of the season?
It's a statement of intent. If he can stay healthy and regain form, Corinthians has a different team. But three months is a long time away. He'll need matches to find his rhythm again.