Cruzeiro punched their ticket to the Libertadores group stage, rocketing into the Brasileirão’s top four after a massive win against São Paulo on Wednesday at the Mineirão. This wasn’t just another game; it was their first match back after a lengthy international break, and the Foxes made a statement loud and clear.
Pereira’s Brilliance Ignites The Foxes
The team came out firing. Kaio Jorge opened the scoring late in the first half, but you absolutely have to talk about the setup. Matheus Pereira dropped a brilliant assist right on a platter for Jorge. That’s a playmaker delivering when it matters most, plain and simple, and it set the tone for the whole night.
São Paulo’s Slide Continues
Pereira wasn’t done, either. Early in the second half, his shot absolutely RIPPED the crossbar, but Zé Lucas was right there, sniffing out the rebound like a seasoned pro. He tapped it into the net, making it two-nil! That’s the kind of hustle you need to secure a spot like this. Meanwhile, São Paulo? Oof. This loss makes it their second straight defeat, coming right after they got shut down by Santos in last Friday’s derby. They’re struggling to find answers, and Cruzeiro just poured salt on that wound.
Cruzeiro’s big win isn’t just a notch in the belt; it’s a huge step toward their season goals. Securing that Libertadores group stage spot this early? That’s massive for the club and its fans. For São Paulo, though, they’ve got some serious soul-searching to do after back-to-back losses. This Brasileirão season is heating up, and Cruzeiro just proved they’re ready to run with the big dogs.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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