Barcelona Dominates Corinthians with 3-0 Victory in Copa Libertadores

GUAYAQUIL, Ecuador — Ecuador’s Barcelona SC secured a decisive 3-0 victory over Brazil’s Corinthians on March 5, 2025, during the first leg of the third phase of the Copa Libertadores. The match, held at the Estadio Monumental in Guayaquil, showcased a standout performance by Janner Corozo, who scored two goals for the home team.

Corozo ignited the crowd by converting a penalty kick in the second minute of stoppage time, and later added a second goal in the 85th minute. Uruguayan Octavio Rivero also contributed to the scoreline with a header in the 82nd minute, establishing a solid advantage for Barcelona ahead of the return leg in São Paulo on March 12.

Barcelona began the match aggressively, with Leonai Souza hitting the post in the third minute. The home team continued to press forward, creating several scoring opportunities while keeping Corinthians’ defense on the back foot. A pivotal moment came when Bryan Carabalí was fouled in the penalty area, leading to Corozo’s first goal.

“We played with determination and showed our character,” Corozo stated after the match. “We knew we had to take our chances, and I am really happy to contribute to such a significant win for our team.”

Corinthians had few chances to score, with Memphis Depay‘s 66th-minute effort being the closest they came to breaking the deadlock. The yellow-clad Barcelona side remained strong defensively, led by goalkeeper José David Contreras, who made crucial saves to deny the Brazilian side.

The away match is expected to be a challenging encounter for Barcelona, but they will carry the momentum from this significant victory into the tie next week. Coach Segundo Alejandro Castillo expressed confidence in his team’s abilities during the post-match briefing.

“We have built a strong team, and this performance shows our potential in this tournament,” Castillo said. “We need to remain focused and understand that the next game will be just as crucial.”

This match is particularly important for Corinthians, featuring Peruvian player André Carrillo, as they aim to progress further in the Copa Libertadores. They will need a strong performance in Brazil if they hope to overturn the deficit against their Ecuadorian rivals.