Cruzeiro and Corinthians will play the first leg of the semifinal of the Copa of the The match starts at 9:30 pm local time on Minas Gerais, broadcast live on TV Globo, SporTV, Premiere and Amazon Prime Video. The match is worth a place in the final against the winner of Fluminense x Vasco, and Cruzeiro is looking for its seventh victory in the tournament.
Coach Leonardo Jardim confirmed the Cruzeiro lineup with a focus on defensive balance and speed in attack. The celestial team arrives undefeated in the competition, with five wins and a draw in the previous stages, with no goals conceded. Já o Corinthians, led by Dorival Júnior, needs the title to guarantee a place in the 2026 Libertadores.
- Cruzeiro: undefeated in Copa of Brasil 2025, with 100% success at home.
- Corinthians: eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Brasileirão, but classified in the Sul-Americana.
- History: seventh confrontation in the Copa of the Brasil, with a heavenly advantage in the last duels.
Mineirão receives around 62 thousand fans, with tickets sold out since Monday. Arbitration is carried out by Anderson Daronco, Rio Grande, Sul, assisted by Rafael, Silva Alves and Maíra Mastella Moreira.
Initial formation of Cruzeiro
Leonardo Jardim chose to keep the starting lineup that eliminated Atlético-MG in the quarterfinals. Cássio returns to goal after being rested in Brasileirão, while Matheus Pereira gains freedom in midfield to create plays.
The doubt in attack was between Arroyo and Sinisterra, but the Ecuadorian Keny Arroyo starts as a left winger, with Sinisterra expected to enter in the second half. Lucas Silva, captain, takes over the marking in the steering wheel sector alongside Lucas Romero.
William and Kaiki Bruno form the flanks, with an emphasis on crosses for Kaio Jorge, the team’s top scorer in the competition with five goals. The preparation included regenerative training in Toca of Raposa II, prioritizing the recovery of Fabrício Bruno after a muscle injury.
Corinthians strategy in Belo Horizonte
Dorival Júnior surprised with the inclusion of The Argentine midfielder brings creativity, complementing Maycon in containment.
Hugo Souza saves the goal for the first time in the semi-final, after good performances in Brasileirão. Matheuzinho and Matheus Bidu play on the wings, with André Ramalho and Gustavo Henrique at the back to contain the celestial attack.
Yuri Alberto and Memphis Depay lead the black and white attack, with the Dutchman in good form after scoring three goals in the last few games. The team practiced finishing on a reduced field, aiming to explore quick counterattacks in Mineirão.
Corinthians arrives under pressure after 13th place in the Brasileirão, but Dorival highlighted defensive solidity as the key to the knockout stage. Pendurados like Matheuzinho and Garro need to be careful to avoid suspensions in the return game.
History of recent clashes
Cruzeiro and Corinthians faced each other six times in Copa of Brasil, with three victories for each side. The last duel was in the 2018 final, when the team from Minas Gerais won 1-0 on aggregate and lifted the trophy.
In the last five overall games, Cruzeiro had the advantage with two wins, two draws and one defeat. Em Belo Horizonte, Timão have not won since 2015, with a balance of three defeats and two draws.
Statistics show celestial dominance at home: 70% average ball possession and 2.5 goals per match. Corinthians, in turn, has an average of 1.8 successful shots per away game.
Live streaming options
Fans have multiple ways to follow the duel. TV Globo covers the entire Brasil on an open network, with narration by Galvão Bueno and comments by Júnior.
SporTV and Premiere offer broadcast on closed TV, with real-time tactical analysis. In streaming, Amazon Prime Video allows access via app or website, with an interactive chat option.
- Free platforms: ge TV on YouTube, for those who don’t subscribe to pay-per-view.
- Pay-per-view: Premiere, with monthly packages starting at R$89.90.
- International: DAZN broadcasts to América Latina outside of Brasil.
The signal starts 30 minutes before kick-off, with warm-ups and pre-game interviews. Aplicativos like Sofascore provide real-time statistics such as ball possession and chances created.
Featured players in attack
Kaio The 23-year-old striker, on loan from Santos, finishes with 65% accuracy, according to CBF data.
For Corinthians, Memphis Depay arrives as a major reinforcement, hired in July 2025 for €12 million. The Dutchman scored eight goals in the Brasileirão and is looking for his first in the knockout competition.
Christian and Arroyo complete the celestial offensive sector, with the Ecuadorian providing 12 assists this season. Yuri Alberto, with 15 goals for Timão, puts pressure on the opposing defense in aerial duels, winning 55% of them.
These athletes practice rehearsed plays, such as infiltrations and dead balls, essential for the aggregate score. Physical preparation indicates that both teams completed 95% of the sessions without serious injuries.
Arbitration and match rules
Anderson Daronco referees the game for the fourth time in Copa of Brasil 2025, with an average of 4.2 cards per game. The VAR is under the command of Rodrigo D’Alonso Ferreira, of Santa Catarina, for quick reviews.
CBF rules include an additional time of 10 minutes per half in case of concussion substitutions. Árbitros assist in impediments with semi-automatic technology, adopted this year.
Fourth referee Fernando Antônio Mendes of Salles Nascimento Filho supervises the bench. Nenhum of the teams register absences due to suspension, but monitor accumulated yellow cards.
The security protocol foresees 200 PM agents at Mineirão, focusing on organized fans. Entrada allowed for lanes, but prohibits fireworks and sharp objects.
Physical preparation of teams
Cruzeiro carried out VO2 maximum tests the day before, recording 58 ml/kg/min for the main group. Jardim rotated 30% of the squad in the last Brasileirão to preserve energy for the semi-final.
Corinthians invested in post-workout cryotherapy, reducing muscle fatigue by 25%. Dorival prioritized 90-minute training sessions at medium intensity, simulating the pace of the game.
GPS data shows that both teams run 110 km per match on average. Nutricionistas adjusted high-carbohydrate diets 48 hours before, aiming for peak performance at 9:30 pm.
Minor injuries affect reserves, such as mild concussion in Walace in Cruzeiro. Equipes doctors predict 100% aptitude for the initial 11.
