In a highly controversial matchup on Sunday, April 6, 2025, Cruzeiro faced off against Internacional at Beira-Rio Stadium in Porto Alegre, but the game was marred by a contentious red card issued to Cruzeiro defender Jonathan Jesus just 20 minutes into the first half. The incident, which has sparked widespread debate among fans and analysts alike, saw Wesley of Internacional receiving a long pass, skillfully controlling the ball before turning towards the goal. However, he fell after contact with Jonathan Jesus, prompting referee Marcelo de Lima Henrique to issue a straight red card without hesitation.
The decision was met with immediate protests from Cruzeiro players, who argued vehemently that the foul was not deserving of such a severe penalty. Many players surrounded the referee, urging him to consult the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) for a review of the incident. Despite their pleas, the referee maintained his original decision, leaving Cruzeiro to play with ten men for the remainder of the match.
Commentators on Premiere FC echoed the sentiments of the players, with analysts Lédio Carmona and Danny Morais suggesting that the foul warranted at most a yellow card. "It was a harsh decision, and I believe the referee was overly strict in this instance," Carmona remarked during the broadcast. This sentiment was reflected across social media, where fans voiced their disbelief. A popular football commentary account on X (formerly Twitter) questioned, "What did Jonathan Jesus do to deserve a red card?" while another commentator added, "It's hard to find the angle that VAR used to confirm the expulsion of Jonathan Jesus. It’s difficult to even see the touch by the Cruzeiro defender on Wesley."
Adding fuel to the fire, Cruzeiro's CEO Alexandre Mattos took to Instagram to express his outrage, captioning a post with the phrase "assalto à mão armada" (armed robbery), accompanied by an image of a hooded figure holding a weapon. This dramatic comparison underscored the frustration felt by the club regarding the officiating in the match.
As the game progressed, the momentum shifted dramatically in favor of Internacional following the expulsion. With Cruzeiro down to ten players, Alan Patrick opened the scoring in the 30th minute, and just six minutes later, Enner Valencia doubled the lead, making it 2-0 before halftime. The goals came in quick succession, capitalizing on the numerical advantage that Internacional had gained.
Before the red card, the match had been relatively balanced, with Cruzeiro even having a goal disallowed due to an offside in the build-up. The team's coach, Leonardo Jardim, was forced to adapt quickly to the loss of Jonathan Jesus, substituting midfielder Eduardo for Paraguayan defender Mateo Gamarra to shore up the backline. This tactical shift was a clear indication of the immediate impact the red card had on Cruzeiro's game plan.
In the aftermath of the match, the controversy surrounding the red card continued to dominate discussions among fans and analysts. The official Cruzeiro account reiterated their stance, labeling the expulsion as "completely absurd" and highlighting the significant disadvantage it imposed on the team, who would now have to navigate over 70 minutes with a player short due to what they deemed a monumental error by the referee and the VAR system.
As the second round of the Campeonato Brasileiro unfolded, this incident not only affected the outcome of the match but also raised questions about the consistency and reliability of officiating in Brazilian football. The reactions from players, fans, and officials alike indicate that the debate surrounding this controversial decision is far from over.
With the season still in its early stages, both teams will be looking to build on their performances moving forward. Internacional will be buoyed by their victory, while Cruzeiro will need to regroup and address the fallout from this match, particularly as they face the challenge of overcoming the psychological impact of such a contentious loss.
