Football history is replete with tales of giants clashing, but sometimes, a single moment of triumph by the underdog etches itself into the memory, defining a club`s narrative for years to come. Brazilian club Cianorte FC, currently competing in the fourth tier (Série D), is revisiting one such legendary moment, nearly two decades on, by launching a commemorative jersey celebrating their stunning victory over Corinthians in the 2005 Copa do Brasil.
The jersey pays homage to the match played on [While the original article doesn`t provide the exact date, it was in] 2005, during the second phase of the national knockout tournament. A relatively young Cianorte side, founded just three years prior, hosted the formidable Corinthians at the Willie Davids stadium in Paraná. What unfolded was a result few predicted: a resounding 3-0 victory for the home team, a moment that sent shockwaves through Brazilian football.
The goals for Cianorte were scored by Edson Santos and Márcio Machado, with one of Márcio Machado`s strikes being a memorable bicycle kick that added flair to the historic scoreline. The Cianorte team was led by coach Caio Júnior, a figure later tragically lost in the 2016 air disaster involving the Chapecoense squad he was managing. Despite the first-leg heroics, Cianorte`s journey in the competition ended in the return leg, where Corinthians overturned the deficit with a dominant 5-1 victory at the Pacaembu stadium in São Paulo. However, it was the initial 3-0 upset that solidified its place in club folklore.
The Corinthians team of 2005 was far from an ordinary opponent. Coached by Argentine World Cup winner Daniel Passarela, the squad was laden with talent, including future international stars like Argentine midfielders Javier Mascherano and Carlos Tévez, alongside established Brazilian players such as goalkeeper Fábio Costa and midfielder Roger Flores. The irony of football history dictated that while this star-studded Corinthians side was initially humbled by Cianorte, they were ultimately eliminated from the Copa do Brasil in the very next round by Figueirense. Yet, they would go on to achieve national glory later that year, clinching the Série A title after a fiercely contested, and at times controversial, battle with Internacional.
A Recent Encounter
Nearly two decades after their memorable Copa do Brasil clash, Cianorte and Corinthians met again in the same competition in 2024, once more at the Willie Davids stadium in the first phase. This time, the tables were decisively turned. Corinthians secured a comfortable 3-0 victory, precisely the reverse scoreline of the 2005 upset, demonstrating the shift in dynamics over the intervening years.
Cianorte in Série D
Currently, Cianorte FC is focused on navigating the competitive landscape of Série D. With veteran striker Hernane Brocador in their ranks, the team is performing well and sits second in Group A7 with 16 points, occupying a qualification spot for the knockout stages. They face a crucial final few matches to secure their passage, currently holding a two-point advantage over the fifth-placed team as the group stage draws to a close.
The launch of the commemorative jersey serves as a potent reminder that even in the lower divisions, clubs cherish their landmark achievements. For Cianorte, the 3-0 victory over a powerhouse like Corinthians in 2005 remains a defining moment, a testament to the unpredictable and often magical nature of football, proving that on any given day, the underdog can indeed have its glorious moment in the sun.
