CEARA EDGES CORINTHIANS IN SEASON OPENER

NGOZI, Burundi (Interstat) — Ceara opened its Brasileiro Women’s campaign with a narrow 2-1 victory over Corinthians W on Sunday, overcoming a heavily favored opponent in a match played far from Brazilian soil.

The Week 1 fixture of Brazil’s top women’s football league was contested at Stade Urukundo in Ngozi, with the visiting Ceara side securing the win. The result handed Corinthians W its second consecutive loss to start the domestic season.

Corinthians W, the home side for the match, entered as an overwhelming favorite. According to analytics firm Interstat, its ELO rating system gave Corinthians a 97.90 percent probability to win. A separate game simulator had projected a 1-1 draw. Ceara defied those expectations with an organized defensive performance and efficient finishing.

The match’s decisive phase came in a frantic three-minute span late in the first half. Corinthians had opened the scoring in the 10th minute through attacker Jaqueline Ribeiro dos Santos Almeida. Ceara responded with two quick goals to seize a lead it would not relinquish.

Corinthians midfielder Diany Aparecida Martins Xavier, highlighted as her team’s top star, equalized in the 24th minute. However, Ceara struck twice in rapid succession, in the 31st and 34th minutes, to stun the favored Paulista side.

Attempting a comeback, Corinthians found a second goal from Xavier in the 35th minute, completing her performance with three goals on the day. Ceara’s defense, however, stabilized thereafter, limiting clear chances and seeing out the match.

The loss continues a difficult start to the season for Corinthians W, which now holds a record of 0 wins and 2 losses in the Brasileiro Women. The team also lost its previous match on Aug. 30, 2025, to ESMAC by a 2-1 scoreline. Its record across all competitions this season stands at 0-2.

Ceara, meanwhile, begins its league season with a perfect 1-0 record, also moving to 1-0 in all competitions. The victory provides a significant boost ahead of a challenging schedule.

Corinthians W will look to rebound in its next league match on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, when it travels to face Kindermann-Avaí. Ceara will also be in action that day, playing on the road against Real Ariquemes.

The game was part of the opening week of the 2026 Brasileiro Women, Brazil’s premier women’s football competition.