Atlético is once again among the top four teams in the Copa do Brasil. With qualification against Cruzeiro, Galo reached, in 2026, the seventh semifinal in its history in the competition.
This new semifinal appearance adds to a journey built since the Club’s first participation in the tournament, in 1989. Over the years, Atlético has put together notable campaigns and now returns to fight for a place in the grand final.
Galo’s other six semifinals came in 2000, 2002, 2014, 2016, 2021, and 2024. On three of those occasions — 2014, 2021, and 2024 — the Club advanced to the final. In the first two, it won the title, while in 2024 it finished as runner-up.
Another R$ 9 million
In addition to the sporting qualification, the semifinal spot guarantees Atlético another R$ 9 million in prize money in the 2026 Copa do Brasil.
As it entered the competition in the fifth round, Galo had already secured R$ 2 million for participation. Then it received another R$ 3 million for qualifying for the Round of 16 and another R$ 4 million for reaching the quarterfinals.
With the R$ 9 million won now, Atlético reaches R$ 18 million in total prize money in the 2026 edition.
The campaign can still bring even higher amounts to the Club.
If it advances to the final, Atlético will be guaranteed at least another R$ 34 million, the amount awarded to the runner-up. If it wins the title, the projected prize is R$ 78 million.
That means Galo could end its 2026 Copa do Brasil campaign with R$ 52 million in prize money if it finishes as runner-up, or R$ 96 million if it wins the title.
Seventh semifinal
The qualification against Cruzeiro reinforces Atlético’s presence in the decisive stages of the Copa do Brasil.
The Club had already reached the semifinals on six occasions and, in three of them, advanced to the final: 2014, 2021, and 2024.
In the first two, Galo lifted the trophy. In 2024, it finished the competition as runner-up.
Now, Atlético will face the winner of the clash between Grêmio and Internacional, which will determine the other semifinalist in the bracket.
The semifinals are scheduled for November 1 and 8. The grand final will be played as a single match on December 6.
With the qualification, Atlético remains among the four clubs still in contention for the Copa do Brasil title.
Galo is in the semifinal. And it keeps chasing a third title.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.
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