Corinthians suffers more than necessary, but manages to win and qualify for the Libertadores

Corinthians struggled, but managed to qualify for the third phase of the Libertadores . After much agony against Universidad Central , from Venezuela, the team beat their opponents 3-2, at the Neo Química Arena.

In addition to suffering from the carelessness of the first leg, Ramón Díaz's team conceded a draw twice to their opponents, playing at home. It was only in the final minutes that Yuri Alberto scored his second goal to avoid penalties.

Having qualified, the team will play the third phase against Barcelona de Guayaquil, who drew with El Nacional, also on Wednesday, but had won the first game 1-0. If they do not advance to the group phase, the team will at least guarantee participation in the South American.

Corinthians started with pressure, showing that perhaps all they needed was "wanting" to qualify, unlike when they took their foot off the gas and conceded a draw in Venezuela. One minute into the game, André Carrilo crossed and Yuri Alberto opened the scoring with a backheel.

Soon after, in the fourth minute, however, the defense got into trouble. João Pedro made a bad clearance and handed it to the opponent. Zapata then received the ball free on the right, already inside the area, and crossed for Juan Cuesta to equalize.

Corinthians' response was immediate. The team sought to attack and press, but made mistakes. In the 23rd minute, Bidu received a pass and crossed to Memphis, but the Dutchman let the ball go through his legs - similar to Cavani's move for Boca Juniors in the elimination of the preliminary round of the Libertadores against Alianza Lima, the day before.

Determined not to follow the same path as the Argentines, Matheuzinho invaded the area and had two options to cross, but preferred to shoot over the bar. Worse than the missed chances was the scare with Zapata's header, which forced Hugo to make a good save.

André Ramalho had one more chance, inside the box, after a corner kick was left over, but he sent it wide on the volley. To his relief, Corinthians equalized shortly after. Memphis received the ball and played as a pivot, holding off the marking, until he found Matheus Bidu on the left side. The full-back beat the goalkeeper and put Corinthians ahead again.

The end of the first half could have been calm, but once again Hugo was challenged. The goalkeeper's defense sent the ball out for a corner and, after the kick, he himself came out poorly, allowing defender Adrián Martínez to only send the ball into the empty net to equalize.

The second half continued at the same pace as the beginning of the game, with pressure from Corinthians. It was Universidad goalkeeper Miguel Silva's turn to work, even stopping Memphis' shot in the fifth minute. Shortly after, he saved another shot from the Dutchman, even closer.

Not even Romero's entry in place of Breno Bidon changed the dynamic. Corinthians pressed, but could not score. On the contrary, in the 23rd minute, Universidad Central almost scored the third. Kendrys Silva hit a powerful shot from outside the area, but Hugo saved.

Ramón Díaz was as impatient as the almost 45,000 Corinthians fans watching the match at the Neo Química Arena. The Argentine sent Talles Magno onto the field, leaving Corinthians with four forwards.

The suffering only ended in the 44th minute of the second half. After a cross from Garro, coming from the left, Yuri Alberto hit it first time into the corner of the goal. Miguel Silva stood motionless, just watching the third goal, for Corinthians.

Universidad Central still went on the attack in injury time with bravery. But they couldn't do anything. Even though it was only 75 years old since its founding in 1950, the team is one of the oldest clubs in Venezuela. This was the first chance to play in the Libertadores in its history.

Unable to rest players this Wednesday, Corinthians returns to the field on Sunday, against Mirassol, again at Neo Química Arena, for the quarterfinals of Paulistão.

CORINTHIANS 3 X 2 CENTRAL UNIVERSITY

• CORINTHIANS - Hugo Souza; Matheuzinho, Andre Ramalho, João Pedro and Matheus Bidu (Hugo); Jose Martinez, Breno Bidon (Angel Romero), Andre Carillo (Talles Magno) and Rodrigo Garro; Memphis (Alex Santana) and Yuri Alberto. Coach: Ramón Diaz.
• CENTRAL UNIVERSITY - Miguel Silva; Kendrys Silva, Adrián Martínez (Meléndez), Simarra and Cumana (Cesar Magallán; Alexander González and Solé; Zapata (Daniel Carrillo), Granko (Samuel Sosa) and Juan Cuesta (Yeiber Murillo); Ortíz. Coach: Daniel Sasso.
• GOALS - Yuri Alberto, 1 minute, Juan Cuesta, 4 minutes, and Matheus Bidu, 39 minutes, and Adrián Martínez, 44 minutes into the first half; Yuri Alberto, 44 ​​minutes into the second half.
• REFEREE - Wilmar Roldán (COL).
• YELLOW CARDS - Yuri Alberto, José Martínez and Rodrigo Garro (Corinthians) and Kendrys Silva, Zapata, Cumana and Samuel Sosa (Universidad Central).
• PUBLIC - 44,964 present.
• INCOME - R$ 2,857,071.20
• LOCATION - Neo Química Arena, in Sao Paulo.