In a pivotal Brasileirão encounter, Bahia and Corinthians faced off at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador on Sunday afternoon, with both teams vying for a spot in next year’s Copa Libertadores. The match, part of the 20th round, kicked off at 4 p.m. Brasília time under the watchful eye of referee Ramon Abatti Abel.
Bahia entered the contest in sixth place with 30 points, riding a three-game unbeaten streak. The Tricolor aimed for a third consecutive home victory to climb into the Libertadores qualification zone. Manager Rogério Ceni welcomed back left-back Luciano Juba after a two-month injury layoff, while new signing Alejo Veliz was registered and available for the first time. However, center-back Ramos Mingo was sidelined due to injury, with Marcos Victor expected to fill in.
Corinthians, meanwhile, have been on an upswing under Fernando Diniz, winning four of their last five league matches. On Thursday, they defeated Remo 3-0 in a dominant first-half performance, lifting them to 27 points and within striking distance of a continental berth. For Sunday’s clash, Diniz made several changes: Rodrigo Garro returned to midfield in place of Zakaria Labyad, Raniele was considered for Allan after recovering from a knee issue, and Fabrizio Angileri replaced Matheus Bidu, who remained in São Paulo due to pubic pain.
The first half saw both teams cautious, but the deadlock was broken in spectacular fashion by Angileri. The Argentine left-back, making his first start after 53 appearances for the club, received the ball just outside the box and unleashed a powerful shot that beat Bahia goalkeeper Ronaldo, who got a touch but couldn’t keep it out. It was Angileri’s first goal for Corinthians, a moment he will cherish.
Referee Ramon Abatti Abel, a 36-year-old FIFA official from Araranguá, Santa Catarina, has been gaining prominence since his international debut in 2023. He officiated 16 matches in 2026, including the World Cup, where he was one of three Brazilian referees selected.
As the match progressed, Bahia pushed for an equalizer but struggled to break down a disciplined Corinthians defense. The victory would propel Corinthians into sixth place, leapfrogging Bahia, while the home side faced the disappointment of missing a chance to solidify their top-six standing.
