The 2025 Copa do Brasil semifinals kick off with a heavyweight clash as Cruzeiro hosts Corinthians at the sold-out Mineirão in Belo Horizonte. This first-leg encounter, scheduled for Wednesday, December 10th at 9:30 PM Brasília time (7:30 PM ET), pits the tournament’s most successful club against a historic rival in a battle for a spot in the final and a massive financial prize. The winner of this tie will face the victor of the other semifinal between Vasco da Gama and Fluminense, with the champion earning a staggering R$ 77.175 million and a direct berth to the group stage of the Copa Libertadores.
Cruzeiro enters the match as the clear favorite, riding a wave of domestic success. The team finished third in the 2025 Brasileirão, amassing 70 points and securing Libertadores qualification for the following season. Their Copa do Brasil campaign has been flawless, with five wins and a draw in six matches, and they have yet to concede a single goal in the competition. Striker Kaio Jorge leads the tournament’s scoring charts with five goals, embodying the team’s efficient and dominant run. Under manager Leonardo Jardim, Cruzeiro eliminated Vila Nova, CRB, and city rivals Atlético-MG to reach this stage, seeking a record-extending seventh Copa do Brasil title.
In contrast, Corinthians arrives with a season of contrasts. Their league form has been inconsistent, with just one win in their last seven Brasileirão outings. However, their cup form tells a different story. Like their opponents, Corinthians have also navigated the knockout stages without conceding a goal, posting six consecutive victories to eliminate Novorizontino, Palmeiras, and Athletico-PR. Manager Dorival Júnior faces key squad decisions ahead of the trip to Belo Horizonte. While striker Yuri Alberto is expected to be fit, playmaker Rodrigo Garro is likely only an option from the bench after a recent injury. Volatile Raniele is a doubt with an ankle issue, potentially disrupting the midfield. The defense is expected to see the experienced pairing of Gustavo Henrique and André Ramalho restored.
For Cruzeiro, manager Leonardo Jardim has a tactical decision to make in attack, choosing between the in-form Arroyo and Sninisterra on the wing. Key players like Matheus Pereira, Christian, and the suspended Wanderson shape the available options. The match will be officiated by referee Anderson Daronco, with VAR oversight from Rodrigo D’Alonso Ferreira. The return leg is set for Sunday, December 15th, at Corinthians’ Neo Química Arena in São Paulo. For fans in the United States, the high-stakes encounter between Cruzeiro and Corinthians will be broadcast live on Fubo and FOX Deportes, bringing the intensity of Brazilian football’s premier cup competition to a global audience.