Cruzeiro is the 2026 Minas Gerais champion.
This Sunday (8), at the Mineirão stadium, Raposa counted on a goal from the always decisive Kaio Jorge to beat Atlético-MG and end a six-year drought without cups in the State.
The 1-0 victory made the celestial team win the 39th title of the competition.
Delay in starting the decision
The final of the Campeonato Mineiro between Cruzeiro and Atlético-MG was broadcast before the opening whistle, when the two teams were already prepared for the duel, at Mineirão, in Belo Horizonte.
The game was scheduled to start at 6pm, however, the referee was only able to be sure to give the starting whistle at 6:08pm. The idea of smoke before the game was the result of an initiative by the Minas Gerais Football Federation (FMF), which has red and white as the colors of the logo.
Cissé injury
who had a chance among Atlético-MG’s starters in place of the injured Maycon, had to be replaced in the 13th minute of the first half after a dispute over the ball in the attacking field.
The midfielder suffered an ankle injury and left the Minas Gerais Championship final loaded.
First half of a lot of struggle and little inspiration
The initial stage of the final between Cruzeiro and was very energetic, but without clear chances of goal.
The two teams did not give their opponents space and the excess of fouls dictated the pace of the game at Mineirão. In the first half, three yellow cards were issued by referee Matheus Candançan: two for Raposa and one for Galo.
The best chance came only in the 47th minute, when midfielder Lucas Silva risked a shot from outside the area and scared goalkeeper Everson.
“Do the K” immediately
The second half started off busy.
In the 14th minute, after a cross from Gerson, Kaio Jorge headed the ball, the ball hit the post and ended up going in. Cruzeiro with an advantage in the decision.
It was the eighth goal for the top scorer in the Campeonato Mineiro.
After the attacker’s celebration, a general fight broke out between the athletes. The referee needed to calm things down to continue the game.
With the advantage on the scoreboard, the team closed in on the defense field. Atlético-MG continued to create little and relied on aerial balls to try to scare goalkeeper Cássio, but was unsuccessful.
Regrettable scenes
In the last play of the game, goalkeeper Everson was involved in a fight with Christian that ended up involving all the players in the match.
The athletes from Cruzeiro and Atlético-MG began exchanging punches and kicks, with the coaching staff and security guards invading the field to try to break up the fight.
There was no more game after the confusion. Better for the celestial team, who secured a 1-0 victory for win the Campeonato Mineiro for the 39th time in its history.
Cruise ends fast
With the title, Cruzeiro ends an uncomfortable sequence of six years without winning the State Championship.
Raposa’s last cup in the competition was won in 2019, in the undefeated campaign of the team led by coach Mano Menezes.
