The 2025 Brasileirão ended last weekend, but the ball is still rolling in the country until almost Christmas.
That’s because the Copa do Brasil is in the semifinal stage, and Corinthians, Cruzeiro, Fluminense, and Vasco are still competing for the trophy.
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The four semifinalists of the competition have secured R$ 9,922,500 in prize money for reaching this stage. In total, the teams from Rio received R$ 24 million, since they have been in the competition since the first round, while the teams from São Paulo and Minas Gerais received around R$ 21 million, as they started the tournament in the third round.
The team that wins the 2025 Copa do Brasil will receive R$ 77.1 million for the title, while the runner-up will get R$ 33 million.
If Cruzeiro or Fluminense win the title, Botafogo – sixth place in the Brasileirão – will secure a spot in the group stage of the 2026 Conmebol Libertadores, and São Paulo will qualify for the qualifying rounds of the continental tournament.
🗓️ When are the matches?
The semifinals are played over two legs, with the first match already taking place this Wednesday (10th). The two matches that will decide the finalists will happen on Sunday (14th).
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Wednesday (10th) – 9:30 PM (Brasília time) – Cruzeiro vs Corinthians – Mineirão
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Thursday (11th) – 8:00 PM (Brasília time) – Vasco vs Fluminense – Maracanã
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Sunday (14th) – 6:00 PM (Brasília time) – Corinthians vs Cruzeiro – Neo Química Arena
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Sunday (14th) – 8:30 PM (Brasília time) – Fluminense vs Vasco – Maracanã
The finals will take place on December 17th and 21st, with the first leg being played at Mineirão or Neo Química Arena, but the grand final will be at Maracanã.
📊 How are the teams doing?
With the Brasileirão already over, the four semifinalists arrive at this stage in different moments.
Fluminense: Enjoying the best moment among the four. Under coach Luis Zubeldía, the Tricolor is unbeaten in seven matches (5W and 2D) and has secured a direct spot in the 2026 Libertadores, looking to close the year with a title. The absence is forward Canobbio, who is suspended. Top scorer Cano is recovering from a knee injury.
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Vasco da Gama: Going through a rough patch. After a good run, Fernando Diniz’s team lost seven of their last eight Brasileirão matches. The fans are worried. In addition, Cruz-Maltino will be without left-back Lucas Piton, who is injured.
Cruzeiro: Finished the Brasileirão in third place, with a solid campaign, and Kaio Jorge as the league’s top scorer. The team is more rested and played fewer matches than their rivals this season, which could help, even though they disappointed in the last three rounds (2D and 1L). Forward Wanderson is suspended for the first leg.
Corinthians: Reaches its fourth consecutive Copa do Brasil semifinal, but in poor form. They haven’t won in four matches and finished the Brasileirão in 13th place. They are dealing with absences: midfielder Garro and forward Yuri Alberto are doubts for the first leg due to injury.
The attention of national football is now focused on these two great matchups. On one side, the Rio derby between Flu and Vasco, teams in opposite moments. On the other, Cruzeiro and Corinthians, both seeking to end 2025 by lifting an important trophy.
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This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.
📸 Buda Mendes – 2022 Getty Images
