palmeiras edges corinthians in fiery derby as flaco lopez strikes late
São Paulo, maandag, 9 februari 2026.
In a tense clash at Neo Química Arena, Palmeiras secured a narrow 1-0 win over Corinthians in front of 45,660 fans. Memphis Depay missed a first-half penalty, keeping the hosts frustrated. The deadlock broke in the 39th minute of the second half when Flaco López pounced on a rebound after a sharp save by Hugo Souza. His celebration turned heated as he kicked the corner flag, sparking a pitch-side scuffle. The win strengthens Palmeiras’ position in the Paulistão, while Corinthians drop to fifth place. Goalkeeper Carlos Miguel, facing his former club, delivered a standout performance with several key saves. The rivalry showed no signs of cooling, setting the stage for further drama in São Paulo’s football calendar.
late strike seals vital victory in paulista derby
Palmeiras defeated Corinthians 1-0 in a tightly contested Paulistão match at Neo Química Arena on February 8, 2026 [1]. The decisive moment came in the 39th minute of the second half when Flaco López scored following a rebound off a save by goalkeeper Hugo Souza [2]. Earlier in the match, Memphis Depay failed to convert a penalty for Corinthians, leaving the scoreboard unchanged heading into halftime [3]. The win places Palmeiras second in the standings with 15 points after seven rounds [2]. Attendance reached 45,660 spectators, with total gross revenue reported at R$ 3,854,774.00 [1].
defensive resilience and emotional sparks
Goalkeeper Carlos Miguel delivered a critical performance against his former club, making key saves to deny Memphis Depay, Matheus Bidu, and Gabriel Paulista [3]. His composure under pressure preserved Palmeiras’ defensive integrity throughout the match [4]. Tensions flared immediately after López’s goal, as he kicked the corner flag during celebrations, prompting a brief altercation involving multiple players from both sides [1]. Officials issued yellow cards to five players, including Matheus Pereira, Breno Bidon, Andreas Pereira, Maurício, and Flaco López himself [1]. Head coach Abel Ferreira received a red card, though disciplinary details remain unclarified [1].
context and consequences in são paulo football
This victory marks Palmeiras’ first win at Itaquera since 2022, breaking a challenging away run in this fixture [1]. With 15 points, Palmeiras trails leader Novorizontino by just one point in the Paulistão classification phase [2]. Corinthians, meanwhile, sit fifth with 11 points, missing an opportunity to lead the competition’s initial stage [5]. Injury absences affected Corinthians’ lineup, with Kaio César, Hugo Farias, and André Carrillo sidelined due to hamstring, meniscus, and adductor issues respectively [5]. The rivalry, known as the Dérbi Paulista, continues to shape São Paulo’s football landscape amid growing competitive stakes [GPT].
upcoming fixtures and player impact
Flaco López extended his strong form into 2026, registering four goals and three assists across competitions [2]. His goal against Corinthians underscores his importance in high-pressure scenarios [1]. Palmeiras advances to the quarterfinals of the Paulistão, having already secured qualification prior to this match [3]. Their next challenge comes in a midweek encounter against Internacional in Porto Alegre on February 13, 2026 [2]. Corinthians face Red Bull Bragantino at home on the same day in the Campeonato Brasileiro [5]. Both clubs prepare for continued domestic commitments without immediate respite [GPT].