Corinthians are without any doubt one of the most relevant and popular teams in Brazil. However, the Sao Paulo-based club struggled to find continental success until this century.
Timao won their first and so far only Libertadores title in 2012, when they took down Boca Juniors in the grand final. With Tite in charge, that team made the fanbase proud and delivered a highly desired trophy to end a long wait for continental glory.
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That year was certainly meant to be special for Corinthians, as it turned out they had more in store after lifting the Libertadores. Months later, Timao pulled off one of the greatest upsets of the century by beating Chelsea 1-0 in the Club World Cup final.
2012 therefore saw Corinthians become not only South American kings, but also world champions. And that will last forever.
Corinthians’ road to the 2012 Libertadores title
Group stage
Deportivo Táchira (Venezuela) 1-1 Corinthians
Corinthians 2-0 Nacional (Paraguay)
Cruz Azul (Mexico) 0-0 Corinthians
Corinthians 1-0 Cruz Azul (Mexico)
Nacional (Paraguay) 1-3 Corinthians
Corinthians 6-0 Deportivo Táchira (Venezuela)
Round of 16
Emelec (Ecuador) 0-0 Corinthians
Corinthians 3-0 Emelec (Ecuador)
Quarterfinals
Vasco da Gama 0-0 Corinthians
Corinthians 1-0 Vasco da Gama
Semifinals
Santos 0-1 Corinthians
Corinthians 1-1 Santos
Final
Boca Juniors (Argentina) 1-1 Corinthians
Corinthians 2-0 Boca Juniors (Argentina)
Remembering Zagallo
Sambafoot Series launched a new documentary about the football legend Zagallo. Known as ‘Velho Lobo‘ and as superstitious as it gets, Zagallo helped shape what Brazilian football is nowadays — as a player and as a coach.
Binge the full series, available on Sambafoot’s Youtube channel.
