Cruzerio’s chances of lifting the 2011 Campeonato Mineiro were looking slim for about 165 minutes. They lost the first leg of the final 2-1 to their arch-rivals, Atletico Mineiro, and their opponent’s defense was brilliant in the first half. Finally, after 75 minutes of the second leg, Wallyson struck.
Campeonato Mineiro 2011, Cruzerio Vs. Atletico Mineiro: A Reposa Lift Trophy
The striker placed a great shot into the corner of the net, tying the score at 2-2 on aggregate, giving Cruzeiro the advantage on away goals, and sending the crowd into raptures. In the 81st minute, Serginho of Atletico Mineiro was sent off, picking up his second yellow card for a hard foul on Thiago Ribero. This all but sealed the win for A Reposa, but Gilberto decided to add the exclamation point on the ensuing free kick, hitting a great shot into the back of the net to give his team the 3-2 aggregate victory.
After a shock exit in Copa Libertadores, Cruzeiro should benefit greatly from the momentum a trophy generates going into the Brasileiro. They were always favored to win the Campeonato Mineiro, but as their loss to Once Caldas showed, nothing is ever certain. They open the Brasileiro next Sunday, away to Figueirense.
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