Massive Brawl Sees **23 Red Cards** in Campeonato Mineiro Final Chaos!
A late goal sparked a huge brawl in the Campeonato Mineiro final between Cruzeiro and Atletico Mineiro, leading to a record 23 red cards post-match. Stars like Hulk, Kaio Jorge, and Renan Lodi were among those dismissed in the chaos. Hulk later expressed regret over the violence, calling it unprecedented.
Massive Brawl Sees 23 Red Cards in Campeonato Mineiro Final Chaos!
Picture this: a tense state championship decider in Brazil, goals flying in, and then... absolute pandemonium. The Campeonato Mineiro final between Cruzeiro and Atletico Mineiro in Belo Horizonte won't be remembered for the football – though Kaio Jorge's winner for the visitors was tidy enough. No, it'll go down in history for a colossal dust-up that saw 23 players sent off. Yep, you read that right.
From Tense Finish to Total Meltdown
The drama kicked off in the dying embers. Cruzeiro's Christian got beef with Atletico's keeper Everson, shoving him into the post like it was personal. Before you could say 'VAR check', the entire pitch turned into a scene from a WWE pay-per-view. Players piled in, subs and coaching staff joined the fun, and even security struggled to restore order as the ruckus spilled from the goalmouth to midfield.
Referee Matheus Delgado Candancan wisely held off on flashing cards mid-melee – who'd want to wade into that? Instead, the sanctions came later, as reported by Brazilian media. Cruzeiro copped 12 reds, including hero Kaio Jorge, skipper Lucas Romero, and a laundry list of others: Cassio, Fagner, Fabrício Bruno, John Marcelo, Villalba, Kauã Prates, Matheus Henrique, Wallace, and Gerson.
Atletico weren't spared either, with 11 dismissals: Minerson, Gabriel Delfim, Precious, ex-Southampton defender Lyanco, former West Ham loanee Ruan Tressoldi, Junior Alonso, Renan Lodi (late of Atletico Madrid and Forest), Alan Franco, Alan Minda, Cassierra, and the hulking Hulk himself.
Hulk Smashes In – And Regrets It
Speaking of the big man, former Porto and Brazil striker Hulk (39 and still going strong) was caught on cam landing a cheeky punch on Romero's back. The 49-cap international looked every bit the superhero gone rogue. Post-match, though, he owned up: "It's regrettable," he said. "I've never seen violence like that. We can't set that example – it rebounds worldwide. We've got to protect our image."
Fair play to him for the reflection, but come on, Hulk – you're built like a tank! Cameras and social media went wild, with clips racking up views faster than a Champions League comeback.
This shatters the old record of 22 reds from a 1954 clash between Portuguesa and Botafogo. Original reporting by Joe Mewis at FourFourTwo highlights how the sheer scale overwhelmed officials on the spot.
What Happens Next?
Expect bans galore, fines, and maybe some soul-searching in Belo Horizonte. For fans, it's the stuff of legend – the kind of madness that makes derbies unforgettable. But let's hope it doesn't overshadow the footy. Cruzeiro lifted the trophy amid the fallout, but at what cost?
In a sport where passion boils over, this takes the biscuit. Twenty-three reds? That's not a match; that's a war zone. Pour one out for the ref's notebook – it must be in therapy by now. Keep an eye on the appeals; Hulk might dodge a lengthy ban, but with that footage, good luck.
Football, eh? Never a dull minute.