23 Red Cards After Mass Brawl in Brazil: Cruzeiro vs Atlético Mineiro Final Descends Into Chaos
What should have been a historic night for Cruzeiro turned into one of the most chaotic scenes in football history.
The 2026 Campeonato Mineiro final between Cruzeiro and Atlético Mineiro ended with an unprecedented 23 red cards after a mass brawl broke out in the closing seconds of the match at the Mineirão in Belo Horizonte.
Cruzeiro ultimately won the game 1–0, securing their 39th state championship and first title since 2019, but the victory was quickly overshadowed by scenes of violence that involved players, substitutes and coaching staff from both teams.
A Fierce Derby With Everything at Stake
Matches between Cruzeiro and Atlético Mineiro — known as the Clássico Mineiro — are among the fiercest rivalries in Brazilian football. Tensions were already high heading into the final.
Atlético had dominated the state competition in recent years, winning several consecutive titles, while Cruzeiro were looking to reclaim regional supremacy.
The match itself was intense but relatively controlled for most of the evening.
Cruzeiro took the lead in the 60th minute when Kaio Jorge headed home the decisive goal after a cross from the left. Despite Atlético Mineiro pushing for an equaliser, clear chances were scarce as the match approached stoppage time.
Then, with the clock almost expired, everything changed.
The Moment That Sparked the Brawl
The flashpoint came deep into stoppage time when Atlético Mineiro goalkeeper Everson challenged Cruzeiro midfielder Christian while trying to secure a loose ball.
According to the referee’s report, Everson brought the midfielder to the ground and placed his knee on Christian’s chest after the collision. Christian then reacted, striking the goalkeeper with his shin as both players tangled.
Within seconds, teammates from both sides rushed in.
Cruzeiro players confronted the goalkeeper, pushing him into the goal area. Atlético Mineiro players quickly joined the confrontation, and the situation escalated into a full-scale fight involving punches, kicks and shoving across the pitch.
Both benches emptied as substitutes and staff members became involved.
Security personnel and eventually police were required to intervene as the melee spread across the field and continued for several minutes.
Referee Unable to Control the Chaos
Referee Matheus Delgado Candançan was initially unable to issue cards during the chaos, as the fight made it impossible to restore order on the pitch.
Instead, the disciplinary decisions were recorded afterward in the official match report.
In total, 23 players were sent off for violent conduct — 12 from Cruzeiro and 11 from Atlético Mineiro.
Among those dismissed were several key players from both teams, including Atlético captain and veteran striker Hulk, who was caught in the middle of the altercation.
The number of expulsions set a new record in Brazilian football, surpassing the previous mark of 22 red cards recorded in a match in the 1950s.
Hulk: “We Cannot Set That Example”
After the match, Atlético Mineiro’s Hulk acknowledged the embarrassment caused by the incident and criticized the overall atmosphere of the game.
The veteran striker said the scenes reflected badly on Brazilian football and emphasized that players have a responsibility to set the right example for fans and younger generations.
Several players from both teams could now face lengthy suspensions, as the Brazilian football authorities review the referee’s report and video evidence from the match.
A Title Overshadowed by Controversy
For Cruzeiro, the victory should have been a celebratory moment.
The club ended a seven-year wait for the Campeonato Mineiro title, denying their biggest rivals another trophy and reasserting themselves as a force in the state competition.
Instead, the match will likely be remembered less for the football and more for the extraordinary scenes that unfolded at the final whistle.
In a sport where emotions often run high, the Clássico Mineiro once again proved that the line between passion and chaos can be dangerously thin.
But 23 red cards in a single match is a moment Brazilian football will not soon forget.
Published by Patrick Jane
09.03.2026