Brazil: 23 red cards handed out during the derby between Cruzeiro and Atlético Mineiro | OneFootball

Massive brawl erupts on the pitch

البرازيل: توزيع 23 بطاقة حمراء في ديربي كروزيرو ضد أتلتيكو مينيرو

Brazilian football witnessed a truly surreal scene on Sunday night into Monday during the final of the regional Campeonato Mineiro championship. The explosive derby between Cruzeiro and Atlético Mineiro descended into utter chaos in the dying moments of the match. A mass brawl broke out, leading to a historic record of 23 red cards.

The match seemed to be winding down when tensions suddenly flared on the pitch. In the last seconds of the final, a scuffle between several players quickly escalated into an all-out melee, involving nearly everyone on the field.

Punches, shoves, and face-to-face confrontations plunged the stadium into total confusion. The benches emptied as substitutes and staff joined the fray, making the situation uncontrollable for several minutes.

An unprecedented disciplinary tally

Given the severity of the incident, the match referee took drastic action. According to the official match report, 23 players were sent off, setting an absolute record in the history of Brazilian football: 12 red cards for Cruzeiro and 11 for Atlético Mineiro. All of these expulsions were handed out following the mass brawl that erupted at the very end of the game.

A victory overshadowed by chaos

On the sporting side, the match ended with a 1-0 victory for Cruzeiro—a win that should have been a highlight in this regional classic. But the result was completely overshadowed by the disciplinary incidents.

Footage of the confrontation between players from both rivals quickly spread across social media. In the aftermath of this unprecedented episode, disciplinary authorities are now expected to review the case. Harsh suspensions and possible additional sanctions could await the players involved.