Galo fight back against Cruzeiro and reach the semi-finals | OneFootball

A night to remember. In a match surrounded by tension and emotion, Galo showed resilience, character, and strength to produce a comeback in the final minutes and secure a place in the Copa do Brasil semifinal. In front of an Arena MRV rocking from start to finish, Atlético beat Cruzeiro 2-1 from behind and sent the Massa into wild celebration on one of the most emotional nights of the season.

The team fell behind after conceding a penalty, but never stopped pushing for the result. In the second half, the pressure increased, and Galo was rewarded for its persistence. Victor Hugo equalized in the 32nd minute. Then, in the 43rd, Fred stepped up to write a special chapter in his story wearing the black-and-white shirt: he received the ball from Victor Hugo and fired home a beautiful shot to turn the derby around and seal qualification.

For Fred, it was an even more special night. In his first start at Arena MRV, the No. 7 scored his first professional goal for Atlético, his first in the Copa do Brasil, and also his first in a derby for Galo.

A Galo kind of night

The atmosphere at Arena MRV started building long before kickoff.

The Massa welcomed Atlético’s bus outside the stadium with a huge celebration, turning the squad’s arrival into a true street of fire. Hundreds of flares lit up the players’ path, while chants of support followed the team all the way to the Arena entrance.

Inside the stadium, the show continued. A 3D mosaic, flags, banners, balloons, and flares took over the stands. Even Galo Doido joined the party, ziplining down before the derby began.

And when the ball started rolling, the Massa did its part for the full 90 minutes.

Pressure from the start

Roared on by the crowd, Atlético came out flying and created the first chances.

In the opening minutes, Cassierra hit the post with a header. Cuello also found space down the right and threatened. Bernard had a good chance after a move built by Galo, but was denied by Otávio.

Atlético kept its presence in the attacking half and tried to build through the wings and the middle.

In the 16th minute, Ruan Tressoldi had to leave the field after feeling pain. Vitão came on in his place.

Even with the forced change, Galo kept up the intensity and continued searching for the goal.

Galo keeps pushing

Atlético kept looking for the opening goal and created good opportunities, but ended up conceding a penalty in the 29th minute. Kaio Jorge converted to put the visitors ahead.

Atlético 0-1 Cruzeiro.

The goal did not change Galo’s approach.

The team kept pushing for the equalizer and created chances before halftime. Cassierra and Bernard both came close, but the score remained unchanged until the end of the first half.

Galo needed another response.

Galo turns up the pressure

Atlético came back for the second half still applying pressure.

The team occupied the attacking half and spent even more time around the box. In the 15th minute, Villalba received his second yellow card and was sent off.

With an extra man, Galo increased its attacking volume.

Eduardo Domínguez also adjusted the team’s positioning. Bernard moved more to the left side, while Kevin Castaño took up a more central role.

After the match, the coach explained the change and revealed that the decision also took into account conversations with the players themselves.

The changes helped Atlético maintain its intensity and increase its presence in the attacking third. Alan Minda, Victor Hugo, and Gustavo Scarpa also came on in the second half and contributed to the comeback.

The clock kept ticking, but Galo never eased off.

Persistence pays off

The equalizer finally came in the 32nd minute.

Fred received the ball and found Victor Hugo inside the box. The No. 30 controlled it and struck firmly to beat Otávio.

1-1.

Arena MRV erupted.

The goal gave Atlético the chance to secure qualification in regular time. And Galo did not let up.

The pressure continued. Victor Hugo also hit the post, and the team kept hovering around the box.

Until the same combination that had produced the equalizer struck again.

Fred, the man of the night

In the 43rd minute, Victor Hugo found Fred at the edge of the box.

The No. 7 hit it first time, curling it into Otávio’s corner.

2-1.

Comeback.

Qualification.

And a moment Fred will never forget.

In his first game as a starter at Arena MRV, in front of the Massa, the midfielder scored his first professional goal for Atlético and decided the derby that sent Galo into the Copa do Brasil semifinal.

During the celebration, Arena MRV shook to its core.

His decisive role in both goals also summed up a night in which Galo found yet another key piece off the bench to build the comeback. Victor Hugo scored the equalizer and assisted Fred for the winner that secured qualification.

Victor Hugo delivers

Back on the pitch after recovering from a spell in the medical department, Victor Hugo came off the bench and was crucial to Atlético’s comeback.

The No. 30 scored the equalizer in the 32nd minute and, eleven minutes later, showed up decisively again, this time as the provider. With precision, he found Fred for the comeback goal and qualification.

In the mixed zone, Victor Hugo celebrated his direct involvement in both goals on a night that marked his return to action.

The player highlighted the importance of all the work done during his time in the medical department and how satisfying it was to reward that effort in a Copa do Brasil knockout match.

With qualification secured, Victor Hugo also stressed the importance of keeping the group dedicated and focused for the rest of the season, aiming for more achievements.

The strength of the group

The qualification had its standout players, but it was built by the whole squad.

Renan Lodi pointed out that Atlético’s strength had already shown even before the sending-off. In the full-back’s view, Galo was already playing well while both teams still had 11 men.

Lodi also highlighted the contribution of the players who came on during the match and the strength the group has been building over the past few months.

The full-back also noted that Atlético has not won anything yet, but emphasized the importance of the work being done.

The win was Atlético’s 14th consecutive match unbeaten this season. The run stands at eight wins and six draws.

Numerical superiority

Atlético’s comeback also shows in the match statistics. Galo finished the derby with 61% possession and had 25 shots, compared to 13.

The team’s dominance in build-up play was also clear. Atlético completed 554 passes with 84% accuracy and won eight corners.

In attack, there were 25 shots, including nine on target, two off the post, and six blocked.

Galo also recorded 12 tackles compared to eight and finished the match with just one yellow card.

Match stats

Sacrifice to be on the field

The qualification was also marked by stories of sacrifice even before the ball started rolling.

Everson had been a doubt for the derby because of an injury suffered in the first leg. Even so, he was in the starting lineup.

After the match, doctor Rodrigo Lasmar revealed that the goalkeeper played with a fracture in his left foot. Everson had been undergoing intensive treatment since the first meeting and received an anesthetic block to be able to train and play.

The procedure was repeated at halftime.

The goalkeeper also thanked the medical staff, the physiotherapy department, and his family for the work done in the days leading up to the derby.

Now, Everson will need to stop playing to treat the fracture. The treatment will be conservative, with no need for surgery.

Another step forward

The win sent Atlético into the Copa do Brasil semifinal and kept Galo alive in the title race.

The opponent will be the winner of the tie between Grêmio and Internacional.

The semifinals are scheduled for November 1 and 8.

Before that, Galo turns its attention back to the Brazilian Championship. On Saturday (5), the team faces São Paulo at 6:30 p.m. at Morumbis in Round 26.

But the night of September 1 has already earned a special place in the season.

It was a night of pressure. Of trailing behind. Of adversity. Of persistence.

A night when Galo never stopped believing.

And, in front of the Massa, came from behind in the derby, knocked out its rival, and moved on.

📋 Match sheet

ATLÉTICO 2 x 1 CRUZEIRO

Competition: Copa do Brasil – Quarterfinals (second leg)📍 Venue: Arena MRV – Belo Horizonte📅 Date: September 1, 2026

⚽ Goals: Kaio Jorge (29’ 1H), Victor Hugo (32’ 2H), and Fred (43’ 2H).

Atlético: Everson; Natanael (Gustavo Scarpa), Ruan (Vitão), Vitor Hugo, Renan Lodi; Alan Franco (Alan Minda), Kevin Castaño; Bernard (Victor Hugo), Fred, Cuello; Cassierra (Reinier).Coach: Eduardo Domínguez.

Cruzeiro: Otávio; Fagner, Fabrício Bruno, Jonathan Jesus (João Marcelo), Villalba; Lucas Romero, Gerson (Matheus Henrique), Matheus Pereira (Gabriel Rojas); Wesley (Kaique Kenji), Arroyo, Kaio Jorge (Neiser Villareal).Coach: Artur Jorge.

🟨 Yellow cards: Natanael (Atlético); Otávio, Kaio Jorge, Villalba, Lucas Romero, Fabrício Bruno, and Arroyo (Cruzeiro).

🟥 Red card: Villalba (Cruzeiro), for a second yellow card.

👥 Attendance: 42,992 fans

Referees: Raphael Claus (SP), Danilo Ricardo Simon Manis (SP), and Victor Hugo Imazu dos Santos (PR).VAR: Rodrigo Guarizo Ferreira do Amaral (SP)

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