Cruzeiro come from behind to beat Vitória at Barradão, keep up G5 chase | OneFootball

Cruzeiro earned an important away win this Sunday (20). At Barradão, the team from Belo Horizonte came from behind to beat Vitória 3-1 in the 28th round of the Brazilian Championship. After a first half below expectations, Artur Jorge’s side returned from the break with a completely different attitude and quickly mounted their comeback, largely thanks to a standout performance from Ecuadorian Keny Arroyo.

MATCH SUMMARY

Vitória started better and found space in Cruzeiro’s defense from the opening minutes. Otávio was called into action as early as the 2nd minute, when Erick got in behind the defense and shot after an incomplete clearance by the goalkeeper. In the 12th minute, the Cruzeiro keeper came up big again to stop a shot from Mateus Silva.

Cruzeiro had their first clear chance in the 18th minute. Gerson played a good long ball to Rojas, who found Matheus Pereira inside the box. The No. 10 got his shot away, but Lucas Arcanjo prevented the equalizer.

The Bahia side, however, kept finding space and threatened again shortly afterward. Tarzia won an aerial duel with João Marcelo, pushed forward, and shot over the bar.

Vitória’s pressure finally paid off in the 38th minute. Matheuzinho helped build the move and found Renê inside the box. The forward controlled it and struck powerfully, leaving Otávio with no chance and putting the home side ahead.

Cruzeiro still tried to respond before halftime. Zé Lucas made a good play down the right and shot from inside the area, but Lucas Arcanjo saved it. Moments later, Cruzeiro’s players appealed for a possible penalty after the midfielder went down, but the referee waved play on.

Change in attitude after halftime

Artur Jorge made two changes at halftime, and they had an immediate impact. William replaced Fagner, while Felipe Morais came on for Wesley.

The equalizer came just 38 seconds into the second half. William received the ball and found Kaio Jorge inside the box. The striker laid it off to Arroyo, who struck left-footed and beat Lucas Arcanjo: 1-1.

The goal completely changed the game. More aggressive and making better use of space, Cruzeiro began to control the action and pressed Vitória in search of the comeback.

It came in the 20th minute. William took a quick throw-in and found Arroyo inside the box. The Ecuadorian played it to Villalba, who had come on in the second half, and the Argentine finished to put Raposa in front: 2-1.

After going ahead, Cruzeiro managed the game better and reduced the spaces for Vitória. In the final minutes, however, the home side increased the pressure and mainly relied on shots from outside the box. Otávio stepped up when needed and preserved Cruzeiro’s lead.

Deep into stoppage time, Cruzeiro found room to seal the match. On the counterattack, Arroyo drove through the middle and played it to Matheus Pereira. The No. 10 cut inside past his marker and finished with class to score a beautiful goal in the 51st minute, making it Vitória 1-3 Cruzeiro.

The win ends a poor run away from home and keeps Cruzeiro in the fight near the top of the Brazilian Championship. The team moved up to 45 points but remains in sixth place. Bahia are fifth with 46, while Athletico-PR and Fluminense have 48 and 46 points, respectively. Furacão face Bahia at 7:30 p.m. this Sunday.

WHAT COMES NEXT

With the win, Cruzeiro reached 45 points and remain sixth in the Brazilian Championship. The team stays close to the top five, just three points behind third-placed Fluminense.

Athletico-PR and Bahia, currently fourth and fifth respectively, still have to play in the 28th round and could change the gap to Raposa.

The win at Barradão is also significant given Cruzeiro’s recent situation. After the loss to Santos and a week marked by fan protests at Toca da Raposa II, the team managed to respond away from home and pick up three important points in the battle for Libertadores qualification spots.

NEXT MATCH

Cruzeiro will now have a break in the schedule due to the international window. The team returns to action only on October 7, when they host São Paulo at 9:30 p.m. at Mineirão in the 29th round of the Brazilian Championship.

MATCH DETAILS

Vitória 1 x 3 Cruzeiro

Competition: 28th round of the Brazilian ChampionshipDate: September 20, 2026Venue: Barradão, in Salvador (BA)Referee: Matheus Delgado Candançan (SP)Assistants: Alex Ang Ribeiro (SP) and Francisco Chaves Bezerra Junior (SP)VAR: Daiane Muniz (SP)

Goals: Renê, 38' 1st half (Vitória); Arroyo, 38 seconds into the 2nd half, Villalba, 20' 2nd half, and Matheus Pereira, 51' 2nd half (Cruzeiro).

Vitória: Lucas Arcanjo; Mateus Silva (Brítez, at halftime), Cacá, Luan Cândido and Jamerson; Caíque Gonçalves (Zé Vitor, at halftime), Martínez and Matheuzinho; Erick (Lucas Silva, 23' 2nd half), Diego Tarzia and Renê. Coach: Jair Ventura.

Cruzeiro: Otávio; Fagner (William, at halftime), João Marcelo, Jonathan Jesus and Rojas (Villalba, 11' 2nd half); Zé Lucas (Matheus Henrique, 11' 2nd half), Gerson (Fabrício Bruno, 35' 2nd half) and Matheus Pereira; Arroyo, Wesley (Felipe Morais, at halftime) and Kaio Jorge. Coach: Artur Jorge.

Yellow cards: Jonathan Jesus and Gerson (Cruzeiro).

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.