Corinthians Edge Novorizontino 1-0 to Claim Paulista Group Lead

Corinthians clawed their way to the top of the Campeonato Paulista standings Monday night with a hard-fought 1-0 away win against Grêmio Novorizontino, sources close to the club confirmed.

Goalkeeper Hugo Souza’s first-half penalty save and Alex Santana’s 66th-minute header secured a victory. The win underscored the team’s resilience under coach Ramón Díaz.

The result pushed Corinthians to 18 points in Group A, three ahead of Mirassol, while Novorizontino remained second in Group C with nine points. Novorizontino dominated early, testing Corinthians’ defense with relentless attacks.

Airton’s ninth-minute strike rattled Hugo’s crossbar, and Robson earned a penalty in the 22nd minute after a collision with the goalkeeper. Pablo Dyego stepped up, but Hugo dove left to parry the spot-kick, keeping the scoreline level.

The hosts continued pressing, with João Pedro Tchoca clearing Airton’s close-range shot off the line and Dyego hitting the woodwork again before halftime. Corinthians, meanwhile, failed to register a single shot in the first 45 minutes.

The second half shifted when Santana rose to meet Giovane’s cross after Novorizontino keeper Jordi misjudged a corner. The midfielder’s glancing header found the net, silencing the home crowd.

Novorizontino scrambled to equalize, but Willian Farias and Matheus Frizzo saw late efforts ruled out for offside. Corinthians’ defense held firm, showcasing a pragmatic approach that prioritized efficiency over flair.

The win marked Corinthians’ fifth clean sheet in 11 matches, a testament to Hugo’s growing influence since his January loan move from Flamengo. His eight saves Monday, including the penalty stop, highlighted his

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