The semi-finals of the Copa do Brasil pit clubs that have had opposite trajectories in the season face to face, especially in the Brazilian Championship. While Cruzeiro and Fluminense sustained solid campaigns at the top of the table and are now looking for a title to crown the year, Corinthians and Vasco see the knockout stage as a chance to save 2025 and gain momentum for 2026.
Third placed in the Brazilian Championship, Cruzeiro chased Flamengo and Palmeiras for a good part of the competition, but lost pace in the final stretch and ended up nine points behind the red and black champions — a campaign that is still commendable. Therefore, they arrive with slight favoritism for the clash with Corinthians, which opens the semi-finals this Wednesday (10), at 9:30 pm, at Mineirão.
Just over two weeks ago, the two teams faced each other in the same stadium, for the 35th round, and Cruzeiro won 3-0, in a game with broad dominance over their opponents.
The defeat inaugurated the sequence of four matches without victory that marked the end of the Corinthians season: two draws (Botafogo and Juventude) and defeats to Cruzeiro and Fortaleza. Dorival Júnior’s team finished 13th in the Brazilian Championship, in the Copa Sudamericana classification zone — a prize that hardly excites the fans.
Winning the Copa do Brasil would change this scenario. In addition to the national title, Corinthians would gain a direct place in the Libertadores group stage. Therefore, Dorival decided to save some of his main players in the last commitments precisely to have maximum strength against Cruzeiro.
The coach’s main bet is to be able to count on the trio of Memphis Depay, Rodrigo Garro and Yuri Alberto in command of the attack. Recovered from injury, the number 9 should form an offensive duo with the Dutchman. The Argentine midfielder, who also recently left the medical department, should start on the bench.
Vasco is experiencing a similar scenario to Corinthians and ended the Brazilian Championship just behind their São Paulo rival, in 14th, pressured by a final stretch with seven defeats and just three wins in the last ten games. One of these triumphs, however, was precisely in the classic against Fluminense, the opponent in the semi-final. The first leg is scheduled for Thursday (11), at 8pm, at Maracanã.
With Flamengo’s Libertadores title and a consistent run in the final rounds, Fluminense secured its continental spot by finishing fifth in the Brazilian Championship. Now, he is looking at the Copa do Brasil as an opportunity to close the year with a trophy.
In addition to the sporting contest, the four semifinalists are also fighting for a million-dollar prize. The CBF defined R$33 million for the runner-up and R$77 million for the winner of the tournament for this edition.
