Hugo Souza Shines as Corinthians Advance to Paulista Semifinals

Corinthians secured a spot in the semifinals of the Campeonato Paulista after defeating Portuguesa in a penalty shootout on Sunday, February 22, 2026. Goalkeeper Hugo Souza was the hero of the match, defending two penalties and scoring one in the shootout, ultimately leading Corinthians to an 8-7 victory after a 1-1 draw in regulation time.

Match Recap

The match, held at the Canindé stadium, ended in a 1-1 tie after 90 minutes. Hugo Souza initially kept Corinthians in the game during regulation time, saving a penalty from Renê. Zé Vitor scored for Portuguesa in the 37th minute, but Corinthians equalized, setting the stage for a dramatic penalty shootout.

Penalty Shootout Heroics

Hugo Souza proved to be the decisive factor in the shootout, successfully defending two penalties. He also converted his own penalty attempt, contributing to Corinthians’ 8-7 win. This performance adds to his career total of 12 saved penalties.

Semifinal Matchup

Corinthians will face Novorizontino in the semifinals. Due to Novorizontino’s better regular season record, the match will be played at Estádio Jorge Ismael de Biasi in Novo Horizonte.

Other Semifinal

The other semifinal will feature a clash between Palmeiras and São Paulo, to be held at Arena Barueri.

Racism Incident

Following the victory, Hugo Souza was subjected to racist abuse from some Portuguesa fans as he left the field. Reports indicate that he was insulted with derogatory terms, including slurs related to his appearance and socioeconomic background. Authorities have not yet commented on the incident.

Reaction

Corinthians players praised Hugo Souza’s performance, recognizing his crucial role in the team’s advancement. The goalkeeper himself expressed his commitment to the team, promising continued dedication in their pursuit of a second championship.