Cruzeiro Clinches Final Spot in 2026 Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior as São Paulo Faces Ibrachina in Semifinal

Cruzeiro secured a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Grêmio at the Joaquim de Morais Filho stadium in Taubaté on January 21, earning their place in the final of the 2026 Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior. The thrilling match saw early goals from Grêmio’s Harlley, who scored twice, but Cruzeiro quickly equalized with a goal by Baptistella confirmed after a VAR check. After halftime, Eduardo Pape netted the equalizer in the 29th minute, and Murilo scored the decisive winning goal in the 36th minute. Grêmio’s Nathan was sent off near the end, helping Cruzeiro manage their lead. This marks Cruzeiro's fifth final appearance in the tournament, with their last title win in 2007. The final is scheduled for January 25 in São Paulo, where Cruzeiro will face the winner of the semifinal between São Paulo and Ibrachina.

The tournament continues to unfold across historic venues in São Paulo, which maintains its tradition as a Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior host city. The competition is staged at three iconic stadiums: Rua Javari, Juventus da Mooca, and Nicolau Alayon at Nacional. Featuring 128 teams sorted into 32 groups, the event draws clubs nationwide, with the local government providing extensive support to ensure smooth logistics and accommodations.

Highlighting the rich local football culture, the classic match between Juventus da Mooca and Nacional attracted passionate fanbases, underscoring the deep-seated football traditions passed through generations. Emerging clubs like Ibrachina have also made significant impacts, recently knocking out Atlético-MG, an established powerhouse in the competition.

The upcoming semifinal today features São Paulo playing against Ibrachina at the Morumbi stadium, a pivotal match in the tournament that could set up an exciting showdown against Cruzeiro in the final. The Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior remains a vital platform for youth football development in Brazil, spotlighting future stars and maintaining its esteemed place in the national football calendar.