Cruzeiro’s 90th-Minute Winner Completes Comeback Against Flamengo

Cruzeiro defeated Flamengo 2-1 at Governador Magalhães Pinto in Belo Horizonte on Saturday, overturning a half-time deficit to secure all three points in Serie A’s 24th round. Flamengo led through Pedro in the first half, but K. Arroyo equalised after the interval before Matheus Pereira completed Cruzeiro’s comeback in the 90th minute.

Flamengo take the lead

The visitors opened the scoring in the 22nd minute. Pedro finished a move assisted by G. de Arrascaeta, giving Flamengo a 1-0 advantage that they carried into the interval. The goal was the main difference in a first half that ended with Cruzeiro behind despite playing at home.

Cruzeiro also collected two bookings before the break. Fabricio Bruno was cautioned in the 20th minute and Joao Marcelo received a yellow card in the 36th. Those incidents added to a first half in which Flamengo protected its lead while Cruzeiro looked for a response.

Cruzeiro turn the match around

That response arrived 10 minutes into the second half. K. Arroyo scored Cruzeiro’s equaliser in the 55th minute, with Matheus Henrique providing the assist. The goal changed the scoreline and restored the home side’s momentum after Flamengo had held the advantage for much of the opening period.

Both teams then made several changes as the match developed. Cruzeiro brought on Wesley for J. Costa at half-time and later replaced L. Romero with Gerson in the 75th minute. Flamengo introduced Jorginho for G. de Arrascaeta and G. Plata for Samuel Lino in the 63rd minute, followed by Evertton Araujo for E. Pulgar and Bruno Henrique for Lucas Paqueta in the 72nd.

Flamengo’s Bruno Henrique was booked in the 82nd minute, while Cruzeiro’s Wesley received a yellow card four minutes later. With the match still level, Cruzeiro found the decisive moment at the end of regulation time. Matheus Pereira scored in the 90th minute after an assist from L. Villalba, giving the hosts a 2-1 win.

Table and form impact

The result leaves Cruzeiro listed fifth in the Serie A standings with 39 points from 24 games, a record of 11 wins, six draws and seven defeats, and a goal difference of one. Flamengo are listed second with 45 points from 23 games, having recorded 13 wins, six draws and four defeats with a goal difference of 24. Cruzeiro’s victory came after a pre-match sequence that ended with a win, while Flamengo entered the fixture after a loss in their most recent listed result.

Pedro gave Flamengo the early edge, but Arroyo’s equaliser and Matheus Pereira’s late finish made the decisive difference. Rodrigo Jose Pereira de Lima, Brazil, officiated the completed match.