Atletico Mineiro host Gremio on Saturday in the Copa do Brasil semi-final, with qualification for the 2027 Copa Libertadores at stake. The decisive second leg kicks off at 18:00 Brasilia time at Arena MRV in Belo Horizonte.
Whichever team reaches the final will become the third Brazilian side guaranteed a spot in the 2027 continental tournament. A revised qualification format for next season ensures that both finalists in the domestic cup earn entry into the competition.
Brazil has seven places in total for the Libertadores. Four clubs qualify directly through the Campeonato Brasileiro, while one direct berth goes to the Copa do Brasil winner. An extra berth in the preliminary rounds, or pre-Libertadores, is also awarded through each of the two competitions.
Under the tournament rules, the Copa do Brasil champion enters the main tournament directly, while the runner-up takes the preliminary round spot. Reaching the final therefore guarantees at least a place in the qualifiers. Brazilian clubs Flamengo and Palmeiras have already secured their berths for next season through their league campaigns.
First leg result and semi-final permutations
Gremio travel with the advantage after winning the first leg 2-0 at the Arena do Gremio in Porto Alegre. Goals from Carlos Vinicius and Noriega gave the southern club a two-goal cushion ahead of the return fixture.
That first leg lead gives Gremio, nicknamed Imortal, room to maneuver. The visitors can lose by a single goal on Saturday and still qualify for another Copa do Brasil final.
Atletico Mineiro, known as Galo, need a dominant performance in front of their home supporters to turn the tie around. The hosts must win by three clear goals to advance directly. If Atletico-MG win by two goals, the semi-final will be decided by a penalty shootout.
The Copa do Brasil is Brazil's primary domestic knockout tournament, offering one of the most lucrative paths to the Copa Libertadores. The aggregate winner on Saturday will look ahead to the final knowing their continental ticket for 2027 is already secured.
