A dramatic and chaotic scene unfolded during the fierce Brazilian derby between Cruzeiro and Atlético Mineiro, as a massive on-field brawl resulted in 23 red cards, the highest number ever recorded in Brazilian football history.
The shocking incident occurred during the final of the Campeonato Mineiro at the iconic Mineirão Stadium in Belo Horizonte.
Chaos Erupts Late in the Match
The match itself had been highly competitive, with Cruzeiro securing a 1-0 victory thanks to a goal from Kaio Jorge. However, the game took a dramatic turn deep into stoppage time.
The chaos began after a collision between Atlético Mineiro goalkeeper Everson and Cruzeiro midfielder Christian while contesting a loose ball inside the penalty area.
Everson reacted angrily to the challenge and pushed Christian to the ground. That moment immediately triggered a confrontation as several Cruzeiro players rushed toward the goalkeeper, quickly escalating the situation into a full-scale brawl involving players from both teams.
Punches, Kicks and a 10-Minute Melee
What followed was a chaotic fight that lasted several minutes, with players exchanging punches, kicks, and aggressive tackles across the pitch.
The match had to be halted for over 10 minutes while officials attempted to separate the players.
