América beats Cruzeiro again and will face Atlético Mineiro in the final.
In a thrilling match, Coelho scored the first goal just 2 minutes in; Cruzeiro equalized at 26 minutes, pressed forward, and conceded a goal in stoppage time of the second half. The first leg of the final between América and Atlético is on Sunday at the Independência Stadium. Celebrations on the green and black side. On the blue side, the question remains whether Vágner Mancini will remain as coach.
Minas 247 - The classic match between Cruzeiro and América in the semifinals of the Campeonato Mineiro was full of excitement. In a thrilling game from start to finish, Coelho (América) defeated Raposa (Cruzeiro) for the second consecutive time. With a 2-1 victory at the Arena do Jacaré in Sete Lagoas, América will play Atlético in the final. The first leg is next Sunday, this time in Belo Horizonte, at the Independência Stadium.
Several factors came together to make this classic match an exciting one. During the week, provocations from both sides heightened tensions. Cruzeiro players disliked gestures made by América's striker Alessandro when Coelho scored their third goal last week. With the score at 3-0, he implied that the game was over. Cruzeiro would still score two goals in that game, in just 15 minutes, securing the tie for this Sunday's match.
The match started with an own goal by Cruzeiro defender Vitorino. Cruzeiro needed to turn the game around, but they still had 88 minutes to do so. Just 8 minutes in, Everton was fouled by goalkeeper Neneca, resulting in a penalty. Wellington Paulista took the penalty, the goalkeeper saved it, and on the rebound, the Cruzeiro striker missed a goal that even our grandmothers could have scored.
The Cruzeiro team persisted and managed to equalize in the 26th minute, still in the first half. In the 42nd minute, more controversy: with his arms outstretched, defender Gabriel handled a cross from Everton inside the penalty area. A penalty that the referee did not award, despite Cruzeiro's protests.
The second half maintained the pattern of Cruzeiro attacking and Coelho defending. The difference was that, this time, América began to exploit counter-attacks more effectively, posing a real threat to goalkeeper Fábio.
A Cruzeiro fan attempted to draw attention by invading the pitch near the end of the match. He even succeeded, as captured by TV cameras, but the police quickly removed the fan from the field, who only harmed his own team with the invasion.
They were very close to scoring, and Cruzeiro was trying to reach the goal without any tactical organization. They left spaces for América, who finally took advantage in stoppage time, at the 48th minute.
The Coelho fans, who were a minority at the Arena do Jacaré, celebrated wildly at the end. Cruzeiro is left with the Copa do Brasil and the Campeonato Brasileiro. Since they are already competing in one competition, coach Vágner Mancini is expected to remain in his position. However, the Cruzeiro board is already working on alternatives in case the team is eliminated – they face Atlético-PR in the Copa do Brasil round of 16. Luiz Felipe Scolari, currently at Palmeiras, and even a return of Adilson Batista, are some of the options being considered.
In the Mineiro final, Atlético has the advantage of two draws, since they had a better campaign in the qualifying phase. Galo took advantage of this against Tupi. América did not disappoint and, even without the advantage, eliminated Cruzeiro. These are more ingredients for the grand final.
GAME SHEET
Cruzeiro 1 x 2 América
Cruzeiro
Fábio, Diego Renan (Elber), Leo, Victorino (Amaral) and Everton; Leandro Guerreiro, Marcelo Oliveira (Wallyson), Roger and Montillo; Anselmo Ramon and Wellington Paulista.
Coach: Vágner Mancini
America
Neneca; Rodrigo Heffner, Gabriel, Everton and Bryan; Dudu, Leandro Ferreira, Moisés and Rodriguinho; Alessandro (Bruno Meneghel) and Fábio Júnior
Coach: Givanildo Oliveira
Reason: second leg of the Campeonato Mineiro semi-final
Stadium: Arena do Jacaré, in Sete Lagoas
Date: April 29th (Sunday)
Goals: Victorino (own goal), at 2 minutes; Wellington Paulista, at 26 minutes of the first half; Fábio Júnior at 48 minutes of the second half.
Referee: Luis Flávio de Oliveira (FIFA Aspirant/SP)
Assistants: Rodrigo Pereira Jóia and Roberto Braatz
Yellow cards: Wellington Paulista, Everton (Cruzeiro) and Neneca, Everton Luiz, Dudu, Leandro Ferreira, Fábio Junior (América)
Paying public: 17.780
Income: R$ 301.056,00