Cruzeiro MG beat Athletico Paranaense PR 3-1 in Brasileirão - Série A after a first-half equalizer failed to hold. The hosts led through Matheus Pereira at Estádio Governador Magalhães Pinto, were pulled back before the break, then pulled clear again in the second half.

Match Summary

Cruzeiro were the more assertive side early and took the lead when Matheus Pereira finished from a Gerson assist after 30 minutes. The closing stages of the first half then turned chaotic. A Matheus Henrique effort was ruled out, Matheus Pereira missed a penalty, and João Victor Machado Cruz leveled for Athletico Paranaense after 45 minutes.

Cruzeiro responded after the restart and did not let the equalizer linger. Lucas Romer put them back in front after 71 minutes, Matheus Pereira the provider this time, and Kaio Jorge converted a penalty after 82 minutes to make the official score 3-1.

Key Moments

The sequence at the end of the first half was the match's real twist. Cruzeiro could have gone in two goals to the good and instead walked off level, which kept Athletico Paranaense alive.

Once Lucas Romer restored the lead, the contest tilted for good. Athletico Paranaense had used their one opening and did not find another. Kaio Jorge's penalty then shut the door, turning a one-goal lead into a two-goal cushion with little time left.

Match Statistics

Possession told the same story as the scoreline. Cruzeiro had 62 percent of the ball and 18 shots against 15, even if shots on target finished 6-6. They also forced seven corners to two. Each side collected two yellow cards, and neither was reduced to ten players.

What the Result Means

Cruzeiro are sixth in Serie A on 39 points from 25 matches, with a goal difference of minus one. Four wins and one loss in their last five is the recent pattern. Athletico Paranaense sit third with 45 points from 25 games and a goal difference of 12. That is a six-point gap, after two wins and three draws in their last five.

See also

• Cruzeiro MG vs Athletico Paranaense PR live score
• AltBets live scores
• AltBets tips
• Match recaps