Derby Paulista

O Derby: The historic clash between Corinthians and Palmeiras.

The Derby Paulista, simply known as 'O Derby', is the association football rivalry between Sport Club Corinthians Paulista and Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras in São Paulo. Journalist Tomás Mazzoni named it after the Epsom Derby to highlight its global stature. CNN ranks it the ninth greatest derby worldwide, while the Football Derbies website places it eighth globally and first in Brazil. It stands as the only Brazilian rivalry among the world's main derbies, featuring two of the city's oldest active clubs.

Quick Facts

Other names

Dérbi; Dérbi Paulista

Location

São Paulo, Brazil

Stadiums

Neo Química Arena (Corinthians); Allianz Parque (Palmeiras)

First meeting

6 May 1917
Campeonato Paulista
Palestra Itália 3–0 Corinthians

Teams

Corinthians; Palmeiras

Most wins

Palmeiras (137)

Most player appearances

Ademir da Guia (57)

Top scorer

Cláudio (21)

Lore & Background

The rivalry began on May 6, 1917, when Palestra Itália (now Palmeiras) defeated an unbeaten Corinthians 3–0 at the Palestra Itália Stadium, ending a 25-game streak. Tensions flared in March 1918 when Palestra players threw an ox bone inscribed with 'Corinthians is chicken soup for Palestra' into the Corinthians refectory; Corinthians kept the bone in their trophy cabinet thereafter. The third match ended 3–3 after a tie. In 1921, on Christmas Day at Parque Antarctica, Palestra won 3–0 against Corinthians in a title decider that handed the championship to Paulistano, consolidating the feud. In 1933, Palestra inflicted their largest victory, an 8–0 thrashing with goals from Romeu Pellicciari (4), Gabardo, and Imparato (3), causing fans to burn the club headquarters and overthrowing president Alfredo Schurig.

Reader's Guide

For Corinthians fans, the Derby Paulista is a defining social conflict. A 2010 Datafolha survey revealed that 59% of Corinthians supporters view Palmeiras as their biggest rival. In February 2017, another Datafolha poll showed 35% of São Paulo's population considered this the state's greatest rivalry. The teams have decided numerous major titles, including the Campeonato Paulista, Torneio Rio-São Paulo, and Campeonato Brasileiro, alongside Copa Libertadores semi-finals and quarter-finals. No other Brazilian rivalry has seen so many decisive encounters in top tournaments. In 1938, a unique 'Jogo das Barricas' match ended 0–0 between Corinthians and Palmeiras, with Corinthians advancing on corner count before defeating Portuguesa in the final.

Did You Know?

Corinthians keeps an ox bone in their trophy cabinet inscribed with a taunt from Palmeiras players after the March 17, 1918 match.
The 8–0 defeat on November 5, 1933, caused fans to set fire to Corinthians' headquarters and led to the overthrow of club president Alfredo Schurig.
In 1942, during World War II, the club was temporarily renamed 'Palestra de São Paulo' before adopting the name Palmeiras in September.