Matheus Pereira leads Cruzeiro to 3-1 win and 42 points

Cruzeiro turn control into a 3-1 victory

Cruzeiro defeated Atletico Paranaense 3-1 in Serie A’s 26th regular-season round on Sunday, September 6, with the home side recovering from a level half-time score to secure the points. The result takes Cruzeiro to 42 points after 26 matches, while Atletico Paranaense remain on 45 points after the defeat. Before the match, Cruzeiro were sixth with 39 points and Atletico were third with 45.

Cruzeiro took the lead in the 30th minute when Matheus Pereira finished a move assisted by Gerson. Atletico Paranaense responded just before the interval, with João Victor Machado Cruz scoring in the 45th minute. Cruzeiro then had a chance to restore their lead before half-time, but Matheus Pereira missed a penalty, leaving the teams level at 1-1 during the break.

The decisive second-half moment arrived in the 71st minute. Matheus Pereira supplied the assist for Lucas Romer, who put Cruzeiro back in front. Kaio Jorge then converted a penalty in the 82nd minute to complete the scoring and give Cruzeiro a two-goal margin.

Cruzeiro control possession and chances

Cruzeiro dictated much of the match from Artur Jorge’s 4-2-3-1, holding 61% possession and completing 515 accurate passes from 590. Atletico Paranaense, using Odair Hellmann’s 3-4-2-1, recorded 39% possession, 313 accurate passes and 381 total passes. Cruzeiro also had more corners, 7-2, and created 13 shots inside the box compared with Atletico’s eight.

The scoreline reflected Cruzeiro’s greater control, although the overall shot numbers were relatively close: Cruzeiro had 19 attempts to Atletico’s 17. Atletico actually registered seven shots on goal to Cruzeiro’s six, while Otávio Eleodoro Rezende Costa made six saves. Cruzeiro’s three goals therefore came despite Atletico testing the goalkeeper regularly, while Cruzeiro’s possession and penalty opportunities helped separate the sides.

Cards, changes and standout performer

Gabriel Rojas and Fabrício Bruno were booked for Cruzeiro, while Juan Aguirre and Mycael Pontes Moreira received yellow cards for Atletico. There were no red cards. Cruzeiro replaced Rojas with Lucas Villalba at half-time and later brought on Wesley Gassova Ribeiro Teixeira for Keny arroyo. Atletico made three half-time or second-half changes, including Lucas Esquivel, Juan Portilla, Kerwin Vargas and Bruno Zapelli.

Matheus Pereira was the outstanding performer, earning a 9.0 rating after scoring once, assisting once, producing five key passes and registering two shots on target. His contribution directly shaped Cruzeiro’s recovery after the missed penalty and helped turn a 1-1 interval score into a convincing victory. The win ends Cruzeiro’s most recent pre-match loss, while Atletico’s previous draw is followed by defeat.