It was a night packed with history, rivalry, and high expectations as Cruzeiro hosted Corinthians on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at the iconic Mineirão in Belo Horizonte. The fourth round of the Campeonato Brasileiro brought together two clubs with contrasting fortunes so far in the season, but with plenty of shared storylines to keep fans glued to their screens.
The match, kicking off at 20:00 Brasília time, was broadcast exclusively on Premiere pay-per-view, with fans able to follow every moment thanks to detailed coverage across Globo’s platforms, as well as audio streams on YouTube’s Samuca TV. As anticipation built, the focus was as much on the pitch as on the dugouts, where two veteran coaches—Tite and Dorival Júnior—faced off in a clash loaded with personal and professional significance.
Cruzeiro entered the fixture under a cloud of pressure, rooted to the bottom of the league table with just one point from three matches. Despite a run of four consecutive wins in the Campeonato Mineiro, their Série A campaign had yet to ignite. They had lost two matches and drawn one, most recently coming off a 2-2 stalemate with Mirassol. The mood was tense among the home faithful, with coach Tite, a historic idol at Corinthians, now tasked with rescuing the Raposa’s season.
For Tite, this was more than just another league game. The former Corinthians boss, celebrated for his two Brasileiro titles and a Copa Libertadores crown with the São Paulo giants, had turned down a return to the club in 2025, citing mental health reasons. "I imagine what Tite must have gone through, and I hope he recovers quickly... It’s a situation every sports professional faces, the pressure is extremely high," remarked Dorival Júnior, now coach of Corinthians, upon his appointment. Tite’s return to football with Cruzeiro in January 2026 was met with both hope and skepticism, and Wednesday’s match was seen as a crucial test of his progress.
On the other side, Corinthians arrived in Belo Horizonte with wind in their sails. Fifth in the table with six points, the Timão had strung together four unbeaten games in all competitions. Their most recent exploits included a gritty penalty shootout win over Portuguesa that booked their ticket to the semifinals of the Campeonato Paulista. Dorival Júnior, who took over after Tite’s refusal and delivered the Copa do Brasil and Supercopa do Brasil titles, had molded a resilient and ambitious squad.
Team news dominated pre-match discussions. Cruzeiro’s probable starting eleven featured Cássio in goal, with a back four of William, Fabrício Bruno, Villalba, and Kaiki. The midfield was anchored by Lucas Romero and Lucas Silva, flanked by Gerson and Christian (with Arroyo as an option), while Matheus Pereira and Kaio Jorge led the attack. Tite’s tactical approach was under scrutiny, especially given the need for a first league win to lift spirits in Belo Horizonte.
Corinthians, meanwhile, were forced to shuffle their pack due to injuries. Matheus Pereira, Yuri Alberto, and Kaio César were all sidelined with muscle problems, while Felipe Longo had also picked up a knock earlier in the week. The visitors lined up with Hugo Souza between the sticks; Pedro Milans, João Pedro Tchoca, André Ramalho, and Fabrizio Angileri in defense; Raniele and Charles patrolled the midfield alongside André Carrillo and Breno Bidon; Vitinho and Pedro Raul formed the attacking duo. The absence of key players tested Dorival Júnior’s squad depth, but the team’s recent form suggested they were up for the challenge.
Adding to the sense of occasion, the match also featured a strong officiating crew led by referee Davi de Oliveira Lacerda (ES), with Victor Hugo Imazu dos Santos (PR) and Douglas Pagung (ES) as assistants, Yuri Elino Ferreira da Cruz as the fourth official, and Daniel Nobre Bins (RS) overseeing VAR duties. The stakes were high, and every decision was bound to be scrutinized by both sets of fans.
The narrative leading up to kickoff was shaped by more than just league standings. Cruzeiro’s recent 2-1 win over Pouso Alegre in the Campeonato Mineiro semifinals had extended their unbeaten run in that competition to four matches, hinting at a team capable of turning things around. Yet, their struggles in the top flight had led to mounting pressure on Tite, with some supporters voicing their frustration. A home defeat to Corinthians could have serious consequences for the coach’s tenure.
Corinthians, by contrast, had bounced back impressively from an opening-round loss to Bahia, notching up victories over Red Bull Bragantino and Athletico-PR to climb to fifth place. Their penalty shootout triumph against Portuguesa in the Paulista quarterfinals further demonstrated their nerve under pressure—qualities that Dorival Júnior had instilled since his arrival.
Broadcast details were a talking point, with Premiere offering exclusive live images for a monthly fee starting at R$ 59.90 or an annual subscription at R$ 358.80, which brought the monthly cost down to R$ 29.90. Fans could sign up via Globo’s platforms or through television providers Vivo and Claro. For those who couldn’t access the video feed, Samuca TV’s YouTube channel provided a lively audio alternative, with pre-game coverage beginning at 17:00 and a team of commentators and reporters delivering updates straight from the Mineirão.
As the teams took to the field, the sense of occasion was palpable. Would Tite finally secure his first league win with Cruzeiro and silence the doubters? Or would Dorival Júnior’s Corinthians continue their impressive run and pile more misery on their former coach? With both teams desperate for points—Cruzeiro to climb off the bottom and Corinthians to keep pace with the leaders—the stage was set for a dramatic encounter.
As of press time, the match was ongoing, with both sides battling for supremacy in front of a passionate crowd at the Mineirão. With storylines on and off the pitch and plenty at stake for both coaches, the outcome remained up in the air, promising plenty more twists before the final whistle.