The Brazilian cup final match turned intense near the end, with players clashing fiercely and breaking the all-time record for red cards.
On 9 Mar 2026 GMT+7, the final of Brazil's Campeonato Mineiro cup—Minas Gerais state's premier and oldest football tournament—was held between Cruzeiro and Atlético Mineiro.
The match ended with Cruzeiro narrowly winning 1-0, thanks to a goal by Caio Jorge, earning the team its first championship in seven years.
However, the most talked-about event was a mass brawl between players of both teams that led to 23 red cards being issued, shattering the previous record set in a 1954 Rio-São Paulo match between Portuguesa and Botafogo.
In that 1954 match, 22 players were sent off. This recent incident began when goalkeeper Everson argued with Cristian, escalating into pushing and shoving, which then erupted into a full-scale fight. Players from both sides tried to intervene and separate the combatants, while substitutes and coaching staff also entered the field. Ultimately, the referee ended the match early.
List of Cruzeiro players who received red cards:
Cássio, Fagner, Fabrício Bruno, John Marcelo, Viualba, Caru Prates, Cristian, Lucas Romero, Matheus Henrique, Wallace, Gerson, Caio Jorge.
List of Atlético Mineiro players who received red cards:
Everson, Gabriel Delfim, Lam Ka, Lian Go, Ruan Trezold, Junior Alonso, Renan Lodi, Alan Franco, Alan Minda, Cassiera, Hulk.