A dramatic and chaotic finale overshadowed the Campeonato Mineiro final as a staggering 23 players were sent off following a massive on-field brawl involving Cruzeiro and Atletico Mineiro.
The explosive confrontation erupted in the closing seconds of the heated clash after a late tackle from Cruzeiro midfielder Christian on Atletico goalkeeper Everson.
Tempers instantly flared. Everson reacted by rugby-tackling Christian and landing on top of him, triggering a furious response from players on both sides.
Within moments, the situation escalated as teammates, substitutes, coaching staff and security personnel rushed onto the pitch, turning the scene into full-scale chaos.
Among those involved in the melee was former Brazil international Hulk, who once represented the national team 49 times.
Footage circulating on social media showed the powerful forward throwing a punch at the back of an opponent’s head before being struck with a kick to the chest during the altercation.
As the dust settled, referees issued a record-breaking number of red cards.
Official match reports revealed that Cruzeiro had 12 players dismissed while Atletico Mineiro saw 11 sent off, bringing the total to an astonishing 23 expulsions.
Because the incident occurred in the final moments of added time, the match was not restarted following the lengthy stoppage.
Despite the dramatic conclusion, Cruzeiro’s earlier breakthrough proved decisive.
The 1-0 victory ultimately secured the Campeonato Mineiro title for Cruzeiro, though the trophy presentation was overshadowed by one of the most extraordinary scenes ever witnessed in Brazilian football.
The chaotic finale is already being widely discussed across the sport, with the unprecedented number of dismissals marking a bizarre and unforgettable chapter in the history of the regional competition.
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