Inter, Cruzeiro, and Fluminense Advance in Copa do Brasil Knockout Stage; Vasco Prepares for Decisive Match

The knockout stage of the 2026 Copa do Brasil is heating up as Inter, Cruzeiro, and Fluminense have secured their spots in the round of 16, while Vasco da Gama prepares for a crucial second-leg match against Paysandu.

Inter clinched a dramatic 3-2 victory over Athletic-MG at Beira-Rio on Tuesday, solidifying their advancement with a 2-0 aggregate win from the first leg. Goals by Borré, Allex, and Bernabei energized over 8,000 fans in attendance. Inter took the lead early, with Borré scoring in the 20th minute following a defensive error by Athletic. Athletic managed to equalize through Moysés in the 37th minute, but Allex restored Inter’s advantage before halftime. The sending off of Gian Cabezas in the second half gave Inter a numerical edge, which Bernabei capitalized on by scoring again, sealing the win.

Meanwhile, Cruzeiro triumphed 1-0 over Goiás at Mineirão with Kaio Jorge converting a first-half penalty to ensure progression. Despite Goiás's pressure in the later stages, including a shot hitting the post, Cruzeiro’s defense held firm. On the same day at Maracanã, Fluminense also advanced with a 2-1 comeback win against Operário-PR. Savarino’s early penalty and Acosta’s goal put Fluminense ahead, while Felipe Augusto scored late for Operário-PR, who were reduced to ten men following Edwin Torres’ red card.

Looking ahead, Vasco da Gama faces Paysandu in the second leg of their fifth-stage clash at São Januário on May 13. Vasco holds a 2-0 lead from the first leg in Belém, allowing them to lose by one goal and still progress. A two-goal loss will take the match to penalties, while a loss by three or more goals will eliminate them. The game will be broadcast live on Sportv 2, Premiere, and Ge TV’s YouTube channel.

These results set the stage for an intense round of 16, with teams fighting for a chance to advance further in Brazil’s prestigious cup competition.