Kaio Jorge scores late, Cruzeiro beat Pouso Alegre to reach Mineiro final | OneFootball

Without much brilliance, but with persistence until the last moment, Cruzeiro secured a spot in the final of the Campeonato Mineiro. This Saturday (28), at Mineirão, the celestial team overcame Pouso Alegre by 1-0, with a goal by Kaio Jorge in the added time of the second half. The performance was below expectations at various moments, but the offensive volume and constant pressure were enough to ensure the qualification.

GAME SUMMARY

From the initial minutes, Cruzeiro imposed itself, accumulating corners and shots. Kaio Jorge took a shot from outside the area early on, while Lucas Silva and Fabrício Bruno also posed a threat in set-piece plays. Matheus Pereira actively participated in the build-up, took a shot from mid-range, and set up teammates with good opportunities.

The best sequence came towards the end of the half. Christian had at least three clear chances, two of them from shots outside the area and another inside the area after an assist from Matheus Pereira. Kaio Jorge also forced a good save from goalkeeper Vanderley, and Kaiki attempted a cross-shot from a difficult angle. Despite the volume and constant pressure, Cruzeiro stumbled on the goalkeeper's saves and a lack of precision in their finishes.

Pouso Alegre relied on transitions and set-pieces, posing a threat mainly with a header from Alexandre Cesar and a shot by Gabriel Tota saved by Cássio. Even so, they produced less offensively. With three minutes of added time and some stoppages due to injury, including Gerson's exit on the celestial side, the score remained unchanged.

The Minas Gerais team returned from the break maintaining the offensive volume. Christian had two good opportunities in the first few minutes, one of them a header after a cross from Matheus Pereira. Fabrício Bruno also posed a threat in the air, forcing the goalkeeper to make a great save. Cruzeiro accumulated corners, hovered around the opponent's area, and took shots from mid and long distances, but continued to lack precision.

Pouso Alegre tried to exploit counterattacks and came close with Thiago Rubim, in a shot saved by Cássio. The game had several stoppages due to injury, with Cássio himself needing to be replaced by Matheus Cunha, and eight minutes of added time were signaled towards the end.

When the draw seemed certain, the saving goal came. At 52 minutes, already in added time, Kaio Jorge appeared inside the area and finished with his right foot to secure the celestial victory. The play crowned Cruzeiro's persistence, which pressed until the end and was rewarded with the positive result.

What's next

Back in the final after two years, Cruzeiro awaits the outcome of the classic between América-MG and Atlético-MG to know their opponent in the decision, scheduled for next Saturday (7), in a single match under the command of the Federação Mineira de Futebol. In search of their 39th state title, the last won in 2019, the celestial team aims to turn the dramatic qualification into momentum to end the drought and reaffirm their strength in the Minas Gerais scene.

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