The Copa do Brasil will know, this Sunday (14), its two finalists in matches involving Corinthians and Cruzeiro, in Itaquera, and Fluminense and Vasco, at the Maracanã stadium, in Rio de Janeiro.
Corinthians in the lead
The first finalist will be decided starting at 6 PM (Brasilia time), when Corinthians hosts Cruzeiro in Itaquera with a minimal advantage after winning 1-0 in the first leg.
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Back at the training center and start of preparations for the second leg of the 2025 Copa do Brasil semi-final! 🔜
📸 Rodrigo Coca / Corinthians #GoCorinthians pic.twitter.com/9KcoyYKTJe
— Corinthians (@Corinthians) December 11, 2025
Thus, the team from Parque São Jorge secures a spot in the competition’s final even with a draw. Cruzeiro, on the other hand, needs to win by two goals to qualify in regulation time, or at least by a single goal to force a penalty shootout.
Even playing at home with the support of their loyal fans, coach Dorival Júnior stated in a press conference that the match is wide open: “This weekend’s game will be even tougher, much more intense, with both teams even more focused, and the result is completely up for grabs. We have a small, but very important, advantage, built at Cruzeiro’s home ground.”
One of Corinthians’ doubts is center forward Yuri Alberto, who felt discomfort in his left leg during last Wednesday’s match (10). Cruzeiro has two confirmed absences, as they will not be able to count on defender Lucas Villalba, who suffered an injury to his left ankle, and midfielder Lucas Romero, suspended due to accumulated yellow cards.
Cruzeiro continues its preparations for the second leg of the Copa do Brasil! 🦊💪
📸 @ggaleixo / Cruzeiro pic.twitter.com/nOAR65N1Pz
— Cruzeiro 🦊 (@Cruzeiro) December 12, 2025
In a match where he needs to score goals, Léo Jardim can count on the return of striker Wanderson, who has recovered from a muscle injury in his left thigh. “Certainly, [Wanderson] has the option of training, but he’s a player who has been out for some time. His conditioning, if he plays for ten or fifteen minutes, will help mainly in defensive terms,” declared the Portuguese coach.
Classic Rio de Janeiro style
The second finalist of the competition will be known when the classic between Fluminense and Vasco ends, which will be played from 8:30 pm at the Maracanã stadium. Cruzmaltino enters the field very excited after triumphing in the first leg, last Thursday (11), by the score of 2 to 1.
The work continues! 🔛💪
Preparations have begun for the second leg match 💢
📸: Matheus Lima | #VascoDaGama pic.twitter.com/dITLTiPUYF
— Vasco da Gama (@VascodaGama) December 12, 2025
Despite the advantage, coach Fernando Diniz maintained a humble attitude after the match. “Only the first half is over. There are 180 minutes and we have to stay focused, try to correct what we did wrong today and approach Sunday’s game with the utmost seriousness and respect for our opponent,” he declared in an interview.
Fluminense’s coach, the Argentinian Luis Zubeldía, expressed a similar sentiment: “Anyone who believes that Cup matches are only 90 minutes is wrong. Only if you win 3-0 or 4-0 […]. We have to correct specific actions, such as transitions, one-on-one situations. It’s about adjusting for the next 90 minutes to turn things around in the knockout stage.”
For this shield. For these colors. UNTIL THE END.
📸: Marcelo Gonçalves/FFC pic.twitter.com/S1kFVLHRZk
— Fluminense FC (@FluminenseFC) December 12, 2025
For this decisive match, Fluminense will have an important player returning: Uruguayan striker Agustín Canobbio, who missed the first leg of the semi-final due to suspension for accumulating yellow cards.
