Cruzeiro women reach Brasileiro final, clinch first Libertadores spot | OneFootball

Cruzeiro experienced, this Sunday (31), one of the most remarkable days in its recent history. The Cabulosas, with courage, dedication, and quality, secured an unprecedented qualification for the final of the Brazilian Women’s Football Championship. The 2-1 defeat to Palmeiras at Independência was overshadowed by the aggregate score of the two matches: with a 3-1 victory in São Paulo, Raposa advanced to the final with an aggregate of 4-3.

The qualification itself would already be reason enough to celebrate. But the achievement is even greater: in addition to competing for the national title for the first time, Cruzeiro also secured a spot in the 2026 Copa Libertadores Femenina, becoming the first club from Minas Gerais to reach the continental tournament. It is a historic achievement not only for the club, but for the entire state, which had never before seen a team from Minas on the stage of South American women’s football.

If the pitch at Independência told the story of a team that was not intimidated by the weight of the challenge, the stands were also protagonists. 13,533 fans packed the Horto and pushed the Cabulosas forward, setting a new attendance record for women’s club football in Minas Gerais. The blue celebration surpassed the mark set in the 2021 derby against Atlético at Mineirão, which had drawn 7,829 fans. More than just numbers, the image of this Sunday morning was that of the crowd seeing themselves in the players and realizing that, indeed, Cruzeiro is also a powerhouse in women’s football.

This historic day, however, did not arise spontaneously. It is the result of a project that has been carefully built over recent years. Under the leadership of director Babi Fonseca, who took on the mission of maintaining and raising the level of the sport within Toca, Cruzeiro has been strengthening both on and off the field, with structure, planning, and major signings. Alongside her, the commitment of Pedro Lourenço, majority partner of SAF celeste, has been decisive: the executive has, day by day, valued and invested in women’s football, ensuring that the Cabulosas have the conditions to compete on equal footing with the country’s major forces.

The result is clear. The Cruzeiro that now reaches the Brasileirão final and prepares to play its first Libertadores in history is the result of serious work, planned investment, and belief in the potential of a team that proudly represents the colors and history of Raposa.

Celeste women’s football is living its greatest chapter so far. And, whatever the outcome of the final against Corinthians, the Cabulosas have already shown that the future belongs to them.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.