Depay's assist sends Corinthians through to Libertadores quarterfinals

Memphis Depay emerged as the savior for Corinthians, coming off the bench to provide a crucial assist that propelled the Brazilian club into the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals. His timely intervention secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Rosario Central, despite the team playing with ten men for a significant portion of the second half.

The match, held in São Paulo, was fraught with institutional tension for Corinthians. The team faced numerous absences, including key players like Lingard, Yuri Alberto, and Zakaria Labyad. Compounding these issues, Depay was relegated to the bench following recent turbulence with the club's management. Rosario Central, led by Ángel Di María, dominated possession and created chances, but struggled to convert their pressure into goals.

The game's intensity escalated after halftime, marked by aggressive play and a lenient refereeing approach. The turning point came in the 58th minute when VAR intervened, leading to the direct expulsion of Corinthians' Raniele for a reckless tackle. Pinned back in their own half, Corinthians' coach Fernando Diniz introduced Depay in the 71st minute.

Rosario Central had a golden opportunity to take the lead shortly after Raniele's dismissal, but Copetti missed a clear one-on-one chance against goalkeeper Hugo Souza. Just as despair began to set in for the home crowd, Depay showcased his international class. He delivered a dangerous free-kick in the 80th minute, which Breno Bidon subtly deflected past the goalkeeper to score the decisive goal.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, Corinthians held on resolutely until the final whistle. The dramatic win sets up a quarterfinal clash against Estudiantes de La Plata, as Corinthians continues their quest for the Copa Libertadores title.