Memphis suffers first defeat of the season with Corinthians

Memphis Depay suffered his first defeat of the Serie A season with Corinthians in a heated and emotionally charged derby clash against arch-rivals Palmeiras.

The match, played in the early hours of Sunday, carried high stakes and high tensions, and it didn’t take long for the home side to assert dominance. Palmeiras secured a 2-0 victory, with both goals coming inside the opening twenty minutes. Joaquín Piquerez broke the deadlock with a thunderous strike from distance, and Emiliano Martínez followed shortly after with another long-range effort that left the Corinthians defense flat-footed and Memphis visibly frustrated. It was a nightmare start for the visitors, and the damage proved irreversible.

Palmeiras continued to apply pressure throughout the first half and into the second. While Corinthians attempted to rally, they struggled to generate any real threat in the final third. Their best efforts were consistently neutralized by a well-organized Palmeiras backline and a confident display from the goalkeeper. A potential third goal for Palmeiras midway through the second half was eventually disallowed for offside, sparing Corinthians from further embarrassment on the scoreboard, though not in terms of performance.

This wasn’t just another league fixture it was a continuation of a growing rivalry that had reignited only a month earlier. In the final of the São Paulo state championship, these same teams clashed in a match that ended in chaos. That game had descended into a mass confrontation after Memphis Depay stood on the ball a gesture interpreted by many Palmeiras players and fans as an act of disrespect. The tensions from that incident were still simmering as the two sides met again, and the atmosphere was anything but calm.

Memphis, now a central figure in the rivalry, seemed to be targeted throughout the match. The Dutch international claimed on multiple occasions that he had been elbowed off the ball and looked increasingly agitated as the game wore on. His frustration boiled over at times, and it didn’t go unnoticed by the referee, who issued eleven yellow cards in total during the match. Memphis was among those booked, in what turned out to be another fiery and physical installment of one of Brazil’s most intense derbies.

The result had immediate implications for the league standings. With this first defeat of the campaign, Corinthians were forced to surrender their position at the top of the table to none other than Palmeiras. A win would have seen Memphis and his teammates take control of first place, but the loss leaves them on four points after three games, pushing them down to seventh place. It’s a disappointing blow for a team that had started the season brightly, and for Memphis, who had been enjoying a promising start to life in Brazil.

Despite the setback, there are still early signs that Memphis can be a key figure for Corinthians this season. His presence on the pitch draws defenders, creates space for teammates, and adds flair and aggression in the attacking third. However, the pressure is rising, and with it, the expectations. Both Memphis and Corinthians will need to show resilience and bounce back quickly if they want to keep pace with the top contenders.

For Palmeiras, the win was not only a statement of dominance but a moment of revenge. After the controversy of the previous encounter, they controlled the narrative from the first whistle and never let Corinthians settle into the game. The victory places them atop the Serie A table and gives them a psychological edge as the season unfolds.

With emotions still raw and both teams expected to battle near the top of the table throughout the campaign, the next chapter of this rivalry promises even more drama. For Memphis Depay, the challenge is clear turn frustration into fuel and prove that he can lead Corinthians back to winning ways.