Cruzeiro president Pedro Lourenço, football executive Paulinho, and administrative director Bruno Spindel watched the under-20 state final against Atlético at Toca da Raposa II on Monday, October 26, 2026, as reported by Itatiaia. Before kickoff, the three club officials held a private conversation with Eduardo Pape, a youth prospect whose foreign buyout clause stands at R$ 565 million.
High-Stakes Presence at Toca da Raposa II
The appearance by the top leadership of Cruzeiro’s SAF at the under-20 decision was noted. Itatiaia noted that Lourenço, Paulinho, and Spindel singled out Pape for a private discussion prior to the match. Pape recently earned a call-up to the under-17 World Cup, cementing his status as one of the most valuable assets in the club’s youth academy. Neither club officials nor the reporting staff disclosed the specific topics discussed during their pre-match meeting with the teenager.
Improvised Spectator Setup Outside the Perimeter
Inside the training ground, the match unfolded behind closed gates, but supporters still found a way to watch the action live. According to O TEMPO Sports, fans hoisted ladders against the exterior walls of the Cruzeiro training center to create makeshift seating. Spectators perched on top of the ladders to secure clear sightlines of the pitch as the under-20 squads battled for the state trophy.
Atlético Holds Advantage in Championship Race
Atlético entered the second leg holding a narrow advantage after winning the opening match 4–3 at Arena MRV. That first-leg victory gave Atlético the luxury of playing for a draw to claim the title. For Cruzeiro’s academy side—known as the Crias da Toca—winning the second leg by a single goal would force a penalty shootout, while a victory by two or more goals would secure the championship outright.
Finalists Secure Berths in National Competitions
Both finalists managed demanding schedules to reach the final stage of the state competition. Atlético advanced past Coimbra in the semifinals, a run that secured the club a berth in the 2026 Copa do Brasil Sub-20 alongside promotion to the Série A of the national under-20 championship. Meanwhile, Cruzeiro entered the 2026 finals defending the state crown they captured in 2025 under a round-robin format.
State Final Concludes at Toca Da Raposa II
The under-20 state final concluded at Toca da Raposa II on Monday, October 26, 2026, with the official result determining the winner of the Mineiro trophy. Both clubs return to their respective youth development calendars following the conclusion of the statewide tournament.
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