Cruzeiro Clinches Copa São Paulo 2026 Title with 2-1 Win Over São Paulo

Cruzeiro captured the 2026 Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior title after a hard-fought 2-1 victory against defending champions São Paulo in the final held on January 25 at Arena Mercado Livre Pacaembu. The match saw 19,000 fans witness a tightly contested battle where goals from William Almeida and Gustavinho secured the triumph for Cruzeiro.

The opening goal came early in the 12th minute as William Almeida headed Cruzeiro ahead. São Paulo responded just before halftime through Isac, leveling the score and setting the stage for a tense second half. The decisive moment arrived when Gustavinho struck a spectacular long-range goal to put Cruzeiro back in front.

Despite missing key midfielder Eduardo Pape to suspension, Cruzeiro tactically controlled the game, effectively using counter-attacks and maintaining defensive resilience against São Paulo's attempts to find an equalizer. The match was characterized by physical play and strategic shifts from both teams, reflecting the high stakes and quality of competition.

This victory marks Cruzeiro's second Copa São Paulo title, having first won the tournament in 2007, coincidentally also against São Paulo. The achievement underscores the strength of Cruzeiro's youth development program and solidifies their status in Brazil's premier under-20 football championship.

The final also generated a revenue of R$ 471,000, highlighting the tournament's growing significance and support among fans. Cruzeiro ended the tournament unbeaten, showcasing consistent performance throughout the competition.

With this title, Cruzeiro has not only claimed the trophy but also sends a message of emerging talent ready to impact Brazilian football in the coming years.