Corinthians defends a three-goal lead against Cruzeiro in the Brazilian Under-17 Championship
Corinthians takes a commanding three-goal advantage into the second leg of the Campeonato Brasileiro Sub-17 final against Cruzeiro tonight at 9:30 p.m. Brasília time at Arena Independência in Belo Horizonte. The São Paulo club can lose by up to two goals and still claim the national trophy after securing a 3-0 victory in the opening match on October 31 at Neo Química Arena. In case of a tie on aggregate, the dispute will go to penalties.
The team entered the tournament with modest internal expectations of reaching only the top eight, as Erasmo Damiani, the executive director of youth categories at Corinthians, explained in an October 1 interview. Instead, strong performances from players like Lucca Caramico and Lucas Splichal propelled the squad past those projections and to the brink of the title.
Milani Demands Emotional Focus After Quarterfinal Scare
Goalkeeper Gustavo Milani urged his teammates to maintain strict mental discipline despite the comfortable margin, pointing out that last year a team won by three goals and lost the return leg. It’s very important to maintain our mental focus. There are two games, and last year we had the experience of a team winning by three goals and then losing the return leg. We need to continue what we’ve done all year, and God willing, we’ll lift the trophy.
, said Milani.
Milani also credited the squad with supporting him through a difficult moment during the quarterfinals against Flamengo, when he conceded a late goal before teammate Miguel Moscardo secured the winning result. Without my team, I would be nothing. It’s more than a team, it’s a family. They supported me, told me to forget about it. Anxiety is normal here (at the Arena), it’s been a dream since I was little.
, added the goalkeeper.
The young goalkeeper praised the ongoing work of the technical staff, including Guilherme Nascimento and Gabriel Amaral, and noted the work of former coach Raphael Laruccia.
Henrique Lemos Faces Formative Club Following Family Transfer
Cruzeiro midfielder Henrique Lemos made his return to Neo Química Arena during the first leg, facing the club where he spent his youth career before departing in February 2025. The 16-year-old player, who is the son of Fagner, entered in the second stage of the match after recovering from an injury that sidelined him since September 15.
Corinthians retained an economic stake in the young midfielder when family relocation prompted his move to Minas Gerais. Henrique subsequently signed his first professional contract with Cruzeiro in April 2026, running through March 2029, following youth appearances for the club and call-ups to the Brazil Sub-15 national team.
Cruzeiro Seeks Home Comeback in Belo Horizonte
Cruzeiro must win by a three-goal margin to push the final to penalties or by four goals to secure the championship in regulation time. The decisive match kicks off at 9:30 p.m. at Arena Independência, where the home side attempts to overturn the 3-0 deficit established in São Paulo.
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