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Cruzeiro were crowned champions of the Campeonato Mineiro after edging rivals Atletico Mineiro 1–0 in a tense final that descended into chaos, resulting in 23 players being sent off following a mass brawl.
Kaio Jorge scored the decisive goal in Belo Horizonte, securing Cruzeiro’s first Minas Gerais state title since 2019 under the guidance of former Brazil national team coach Tite.
The match, however, ended in turmoil in its final moments. The confrontation began when Atletico goalkeeper Everson pushed Cruzeiro midfielder Christian to the ground and pressed his knee against the player’s chest during a scramble for the ball. Christian’s teammates quickly intervened, shoving Everson into the goalpost, and the clash quickly escalated as more players from both sides joined the melee while security personnel tried to intervene.
Referee Matheus Delgado Candancan did not issue any red cards during the match, but Brazilian media outlet Globo reported that 23 players were retrospectively dismissed due to the scale of the fight. Cruzeiro had 12 players sent off, including goalscorer Kaio Jorge, while Atletico Mineiro saw 11 players dismissed, among them former Atletico Madrid and Nottingham Forest defender Renan Lodi and former Brazil international Hulk.
Reacting to the incident, Hulk called the scenes “regrettable,” adding, “We cannot set that example because it ends up having repercussions all around the world. We have a responsibility to safeguard our image and the image of the institution.”
Both clubs have struggled in the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A this season, with Atletico Mineiro currently 17th and Cruzeiro 19th after four matches.
