Mass Brawl Erupts in Feisty Derby as Memphis Depay Shines
In a thrilling display of Brazilian football’s notorious intensity, Corinthians secured their first title in six years, triumphing over arch-rivals Palmeiras with a narrow 1-0 aggregate victory. The match, held on Thursday night, was marred by a chaotic mass brawl, ignited by the antics of former Manchester United star, Memphis Depay.
The second leg of the derby was nothing short of explosive, featuring FOUR red cards and a staggering 13 yellow cards issued to players and coaching staff throughout the encounter. Corinthians, who entered the match with a slim 1-0 lead, fought valiantly to defend their advantage on home soil.
The tension escalated dramatically in the 68th minute when Palmeiras was awarded a penalty due to a reckless challenge by Corinthians defender Felix Torres. The 28-year-old lunged into Vitor Roque, prompting the referee to point to the spot. Surprisingly, Torres avoided a booking despite already receiving a yellow card in the first half, causing an uproar from Palmeiras manager Abel Ferreira, who erupted in frustration over the referee’s decision.
In an ironic twist, Ferreira’s vociferous protests led to his own dismissal from the sidelines. The situation worsened for Palmeiras as their captain, Raphael Veiga, missed the crucial penalty, allowing Corinthians to maintain their lead. However, justice was soon served as Torres received a second yellow card just five minutes later for yet another reckless tackle on Roque, leaving Corinthians to fend off the pressure.
As the minutes ticked away, Corinthians resorted to time-wasting tactics to preserve their lead. In a bid to delay the game, Depay attempted to showcase his flair by balancing on the ball near the corner flag. However, his flashy move backfired spectacularly when he was shoved off the ball, igniting a brawl between players from both teams.
The melee quickly escalated, with substitutes and coaching staff rushing onto the field, turning the contest into a chaotic scene. The crowd at the Corinthians Arena erupted with excitement as the drama unfolded. The confrontation was reviewed by VAR, leading to the dismissal of Palmeiras substitute goalkeeper Marcelo Lomba and Corinthians midfielder Jose Martinez, who had already been substituted.
Incredibly, the officials added over 18 minutes of stoppage time as the match neared its conclusion. Nevertheless, Corinthians managed to hold firm, finishing the game 0-0 on the night and securing their long-awaited title. Memphis Depay, who joined the Brazilian league in September, ultimately had the last laugh, playing a pivotal role in his team’s celebrated victory.
