Corinthians were the first team in action and had little trouble dismissing the challenge of Primeira Camisa 5-1 to reach the next stage of the Copinha. Gomes opened the scoring for the Timaozinho, after the defence failed to deal with Denner’s theatening cross from the left flank, before Leonardo made it 2-0 with a left-footed snapshot from the edge of the box. Next, before half-time, it was the turn of stocky striker Douglas, who fired in a long-range effort with his powerful left-foot. In the second period, Leonardo added another with a clever volleyed lob, before Douglas beat the goalkeeper to a through-ball to make it 5-0. Primeira Camisa did get some sort of consolation to take home with them when Fabrício pulled one goal back in the final minutes.
América-MG sauntered past Red Bull Brasil in their Last-16 clash, with a 3-0 win in a feisty encounter. Two goals for Jardiel and one for Jean Pierre was enough for the Coelhinho, who are once more proving the strength of their youth system, having won the Brasileirão Under-20 Championships last season.
Conquerors of Cruzeiro, Atlético Paranaense kept up their impressive form, with a 3-0 victory over Ole Brasil. A penalty from Bruno Rosseto, after a foul on Hernani, opened the scoring for the Coritiba side, before the dancing feet of Taiberson added a second. The midfielder beat his marker with a series of step-overs, before deftly chipping the keeper. The midfielder was involved once more for the third goal, creating space before laying the ball off for Júnior to finish.
In the final match of the day, Palmeiras had to show a fighting spirit to overcome the challenge of Paulista 3-2. Paulista had taken an early lead when Tafarel cooly finished from Renan’s through-ball, before Bruno Dybal equalised for the Verdaozinho from Bruno Sabiá’s deft lob. Early in the second-period, Palmeiras were ahead for the first-time as Guilherme Almeida’s header from a corner made it 2-1, but defensive frailties cost them as Jefferson was allowed a 1-on-1 opportunity to equalise for Paulista. With ten minutes to go, Palmeiras got their lucky break, as João Denoni fired at goal from range, only for the ball to take a big deflection and find the back of the net. It was hugely lucky, but Palmeiras will care little.
Star Performers: Taiberson (Atl-PR), Leonardo, Douglas (Corinthians), Bruno Dybal (Palmeiras), Jardiel (América-MG)
