A heated clash between Cruzeiro and Atlético Mineiro ended in chaos after a mass brawl led to 23 players being sent off following the final whistle.
The incident happened during the final of the Campeonato Mineiro in Belo Horizonte.
Cruzeiro secured a 1-0 victory thanks to a goal from Kaio Jorge. The win gave Cruzeiro their first Minas Gerais state title since 2019. The team is currently managed by former Brazil coach Tite.
Fight breaks out in final moments
The match turned chaotic in the closing seconds. The confrontation began when Atlético goalkeeper Everson pushed Cruzeiro midfielder Christian to the ground. Everson then placed his knee on the player’s chest after the two collided while chasing a loose ball.
Christian’s teammates quickly reacted and confronted the goalkeeper. They pushed Everson toward the goalpost. The situation escalated as more players joined the altercation.
Security staff and military police stepped in to separate the teams and restore order.
Red cards issued after the match
Referee Matheus Delgado Candançan did not show red cards during the match. The fight made it difficult for the official to control the situation.
However, reports from Brazilian media outlet Globo confirmed that 23 players were later sent off after reviewing the incident.
Cruzeiro had 12 players dismissed, including goalscorer Kaio Jorge. Atlético Mineiro saw 11 players sent off. Among them were star forward Hulk and defender Renan Lodi, who previously played for Atlético Madrid and Nottingham Forest.
One of football’s biggest mass dismissals
This incident ranks among the largest mass dismissals in football history. The record still belongs to a 2011 Argentine fifth-division match between Claypole and Victoriano Arenas.
During that match, the referee sent off all 36 players after a massive on-field fight.
Hulk reacts to the incident
After the final, Hulk expressed disappointment over the events.
“It’s regrettable,” he said. “We cannot set that kind of example because it reflects badly around the world. We must protect the image of our clubs.”
Both teams are also struggling in the current Campeonato Brasileiro Série A season. After four matches, Atlético Mineiro sit 17th in the table while Cruzeiro are 19th.
