Late turnaround in Belo Horizonte

Cruzeiro secured a 2-1 home victory over Flamengo on Saturday night in matchday 24 of the Campeonato Brasileiro. Flamengo opened the scoring in the 22nd minute when forward Pedro received a pass from Giorgian de Arrascaeta and converted with an angled shot. The visiting side created early openings through an attacking quartet featuring Pedro, Arrascaeta, Carrascal, and Samuel Lino. Leonardo Jardim's squad controlled the tempo for long periods of the first half, penetrating the home defense but failing to convert further opportunities. Cruzeiro responded through individual runs by Keny Arroyo, yet Flamengo maintained a 1-0 advantage into the half-time break.

Second-half comeback and stoppage-time winner

The home team increased their defensive pressure and ball retention after the interval to regain control of midfield. Cruzeiro found an equalizer in the 55th minute when Matheus Henrique delivered a pass into space for Keny Arroyo. Arroyo beat defender Samuel Lino before sending a shot into the top corner past goalkeeper Agustín Rossi. The match remained open as both teams traded attacks in the closing stages. The decisive moment arrived at 90+5 minutes when Gerson crossed from the right, Villalba flicked the ball backward, and Matheus Pereira struck first-time, sending the ball into the net off a deflection from Léo Ortiz.

Tactical response and defense of Pereira

The victory served as a quick recovery for Cruzeiro, who were eliminated from the Copa Libertadores round of 16 by Flamengo only three days earlier. Following that continental defeat, manager Artur Jorge conducted a squad meeting to address errors, manage squad morale, and handle public criticism. Artur Jorge noted that managing pressure is necessary at Cruzeiro, where the club expects regular victories rather than occasional successes. Speaking in the post-match press conference, the Portuguese coach praised the collective focus of his players after absorbing outside noise.

“We absorbed the noise and we have to be able to protect the group here inside. We had a very important conversation yesterday, a very, very interesting conversation. Yesterday I also felt that the players were extremely motivated. I say again, to realize that in fact, we know where we made mistakes. We know what we did well and we know above all that we can and must always do better.”

Artur Jorge also offered strong support for match-winner Matheus Pereira, rejecting individual criticism aimed at the former Sporting and Chaves midfielder.

“Regarding criticism, when it is individualized, I think it shows poor judgment, because Matheus is the best player in the Brazilian Championship. The numbers record that in his output, in his performance.”

Table positions and title race impact

The defeat ended Flamengo's unbeaten run dating back to 24 May, which had spanned nine matches consisting of six wins and three draws across all competitions. The result prevented Leonardo Jardim's side from moving level with league leaders Palmeiras, who held 48 points with a match in hand against Vasco da Gama. Sources reported Flamengo on 45 points, while one dispatch recorded them on 55 points in second place. Cruzeiro climbed to fifth place with 39 points, sitting two points adrift of third-placed Athletico Paranaense and fourth-placed Fluminense.