Analysis The numbers behind the result
Cruzeiro's dominance rewarded after early missed penalty scare
Cruzeiro's 3-1 victory was deserved based on their control of possession (61%) and superior shot volume (19 vs 17 total shots, 6 vs 7 on target) despite a wasteful first half that included a missed Matheus Pereira penalty (45+8'). The hosts recovered from João Victor's equalizer (45+1') by creating higher-quality chances, with 13 shots inside the box compared to Atletico's 8, reflected in their 2.19 xG outperforming the visitors' 1.42.
Pereira was instrumental, assisting Lucas Romero's go-ahead goal (71') after his own opener (30'), while Cruzeiro's press forced 14 Atletico fouls. The decisive stat was Cruzeiro's 7 corners to Atletico's 2, sustaining pressure that led to Kaio Jorge's late penalty (82'). Atletico's 39% possession rarely translated into sustained attacks, with just 313 accurate passes to Cruzeiro's 515.