The first leg of the Paulista state final against Santos saw Ronaldo net two sublime goals to see Corinthians take a massive stride towards securing a record winning title.
With Pele watching in the stands Corinthians took an early lead courtesy of defender Chicao with a brilliant free kick whispering into the top right hand corner.
Ronie then got into the game after 25 minutes latching onto a Chicao pass from defence with a beautiful first touch with his right foot and cooly slotting the ball home with his left. Corinthians were 2-0 up away from home despite Santos’ majority of possession.
As the second half got underway Santos continued to pressure the Corinthians defence. It finally relented in the 60th minute when Triguinho burst down the left wing as Felipe deflected a cross into his own net. 2-1
In the 75th minute Ronaldo then netted what is probably his most beautiful goal in a Corinthians shirt. When released on the right hand side he cut infield with a beautiful piece of skill before lobbing the keeper to guide the ball into the back of the net.
A humble Ronaldo said after the game, “To be king for a day at the home of the king is excellent,”
The king himself commented “The ball landed at the feet of a player who doesn’t miss,” Pele told reporters. “Ronaldo makes the difference. The second goal was worthy of the World Cup.”
Ronaldo now has 8 goals in 10 games.
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