Atlético-MG reached the 2026 Copa do Brasil quarter-finals on Tuesday after a 49th-minute second-half goal by Minda earned a 1-0 win against Juventude. The victory made the Belo Horizonte club the first team to qualify for the quarter-finals. Because the first leg ended in a 0-0 draw, Atlético-MG advanced 1-0 on aggregate.
The match was heading to a penalty shootout until the final play at the Alfredo Jaconi stadium. Ecuadorian player Minda capitalized on a mistake in the Juventude defense, shifted past goalkeeper Jandrei, and scored the winning goal.
After the final whistle, Juventude players and coaching staff reacted with outrage toward referee Flávio Rodrigues de Souza. They complained that the official put his whistle to his mouth during the long pass that created the goal, but failed to blow it and allowed the attack to proceed.
First half opportunities
Neither team displayed the caution typical of open knockout matches, creating high offensive tempo despite inaccurate finishing. The aerial game provided the best chances in the opening half, starting in the 17th minute when Atlético-MG defender Lyanco headed over the bar from a set corner routine.
Cissé and Lyanco attempted medium-distance shots for Galo, while Fábio Lima replied for Juventude. Atlético-MG attacker Cuello came close to opening the scoring in the 31st minute when his header struck the crossbar as Jandrei watched.
Juventude threatened near first-half stoppage time when Raí Silva forced goalkeeper Everson into action following a mistake by the Atlético-MG defense.
Second half pressure
The second half began at the same fast pace. In the fourth minute of the second period, Natanael led a counter-attack down the right wing for Atlético-MG, broke free, and shot over the crossbar off balance despite Cassierra standing open in the penalty area.
Bernard wasted another clear opportunity in the 12th minute after Atlético-MG won the ball high up the pitch and Victor Hugo provided a pass, but the experienced midfielder struck his effort poorly. Juventude nearly answered two minutes later when Raí Silva delivered a corner kick, Marcos Paulo headed strongly after a flick at the near post, and Everson made a left-handed save on the goal line.
Both managers made substitutions to sustain the intensity of the contest. Eduardo Domínguez brought on Dudu and Igor Gomes to refresh the Atlético-MG attack, while Mauricio Barbieri introduced Nathan Santos and Diogo Barbosa to stretch the pitch for Juventude.
Juventude defender Gabriel Pinheiro nearly scored in the 34th minute with a first-time strike following a partial clearance, sending the ball just past the post of goalkeeper Ederson. Igor Gomes responded for Galo in the 40th minute, receiving a pass from Dudu and running into the box before dragging his left-footed shot wide of Jandrei's right post.
The decisive goal arrived on the final play after a long clearance from the Atlético-MG defense. Gabriel Pinheiro attempted to clear the ball but headed it against teammate Nathan, allowing Minda to gather possession, turn, and curl a shot past Jandrei into the net.
Upcoming matches
Atlético-MG does not yet know their opponent for the quarter-finals. The Brazilian Football Confederation (CNF) will hold a draw to determine the matchups and tournament bracket, though the organization has not announced a date for the event.
Atlético-MG returns to action on Saturday when they travel to face Remo at the Mangueirão stadium. That match will be part of the 22nd round of the Brasileirão.
