In a thrilling encounter at the Estádio Arena MRV in Belo Horizonte, Atlético Mineiro and Esporte Clube Vitória battled to a 2-2 draw on April 13, 2025, marking the third round of the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A. The match, which kicked off at 20h30 Brasília time, was filled with drama and late-game heroics, leaving fans on the edge of their seats.
Referee Davi de Oliveira Lacerda officiated the match, supported by assistants Danilo Ricardo Simon Manis and Douglas Pagung, while Carlos Eduardo Nunes Braga oversaw the VAR. The game was characterized by a flurry of goals in the second half, with both teams showcasing their attacking prowess.
Vitória stunned the home crowd early in the second half, taking the lead just two minutes after the break. A well-executed play saw Matheuzinho combine with Gustavo Mosquito, with Matheuzinho eventually finding the back of the net after a couple of attempts. The goal sent a wave of excitement through the Vitória supporters, who were desperate for their first points of the season.
However, Atlético Mineiro responded quickly. At the 12-minute mark of the second half, Fausto Vera rose above the defense to head the ball into the net from a chaotic situation in the box, leveling the score at 1-1. The Galo, as Atlético is commonly known, seemed to regain their momentum and looked poised to take control of the match.
Just nine minutes later, Vitória struck back. Lucas Halter scored their second goal with a powerful header from a Janderson cross, putting the visitors ahead once again at 2-1. The tension in the stadium heightened as the clock ticked down, with Atlético feeling the pressure to equalize once more.
In a dramatic turn of events, Atlético managed to equalize in the dying minutes of the match. At the 42-minute mark, João Marcelo’s weak header struck the post but fortuitously bounced back into the net, sealing the score at 2-2. The goal sparked jubilation among Atlético fans, who had witnessed their team come back from behind twice.
Despite the draw, Atlético Mineiro's performance left much to be desired. The team remains winless in the Série A, now sitting in 17th place with just two points from three matches. Coach Cuca will need to rally his players ahead of their next challenge against Santos on April 16, 2025, at 21h30.
Post-match reactions highlighted the frustrations of Atlético fans, particularly regarding the officiating. Many took to social media to express their dissatisfaction with Lacerda's decisions during the match. One fan lamented, “It’s the same every time with this referee. Can’t we get someone else to officiate our games?” Another added, “The poor performance of Atlético doesn’t excuse the questionable officiating. A clear penalty was missed in the final moments against Igor Gomes.”
On the other hand, Vitória celebrated their first point of the season, moving up to 19th place in the standings. Lucas Halter, who scored one of the goals, reflected on the match, stating, “It was a tough game, very intense, but we managed to withstand the pressure.” Their next fixture will be against Fortaleza on April 16, 2025, at Barradão, as they aim to build on this newfound momentum.
As the season progresses, both teams will be looking to improve their standings and secure their respective objectives. For Atlético Mineiro, the urgency to find their first victory is palpable, while Vitória will seek to capitalize on their hard-fought draw and find their rhythm in the league.
