Internacional vs Cruzeiro preview

Brazil flag 2026 Serie A, Brazil
Estadio Beira-Rio
Serie A
InternacionalINL
1 2
CruzeiroCRZ
Full Time
Round 19 Regular Season
Goal
|
Goal
Kaio Jorge  - 11'
Victor Gabriel 59' Red Card
|

CONTEXT

Internacional hosted Cruzeiro in a match that ended 1-2 to the visitors. The halftime score stood at 0-1. Internacional recorded 47 percent possession against Cruzeiro's 53 percent. Expected goals stood at 1.61 for the home side and 1.28 for the away side. A red card was issued to Internacional during the contest. Cruzeiro entered as the stronger team and claimed the victory. The result showed a significant deviation from projections for the away side. The outcome did not align with xG figures despite the efficiency metrics remaining in line with patterns. Second half adjustments centered on the red card effect that altered team structures and flow.

TL;DR

  • Structural deviation: Final score: Internacional 1-2 Cruzeiro. Cruzeiro showed a significant deviation from the pre-match structural baseline.
  • Efficiency shift: The efficiency shift remained in line with established patterns.
  • xG alignment: The final outcome was not consistent with xG values.
  • Market alignment: The result aligned with market expectations.
  • xG expectations: Internacional held xG expectations of 1.61 against Cruzeiro's 1.28.
  • Event impact: The red card to Internacional shaped the second half outcome.
  • Red card distortion: Red card distortion affected second half adjustments for the home side.
No standings statistics available.
No head-to-head records found.
0.5+ goals: 85%
1.5+ goals: 70%
2.5+ goals: 50%
3.5+ goals: 25%
Confidence: High (≥8 matches)

Quality vs Volume

Home: xG 1.8, Shots 12, xG/Shot 0.15
Away: xG 1.5, Shots 14, xG/Shot 0.11

Open Play vs Set Play

Open Play: 65%
Set Play: 35%

Expected Points

TeamxPts
Home1.8
Away1.2
ℹ️ Methodology: Expected Goals (xG) measures shot quality
F. Rodrigues De Souza
F. Rodrigues De Souza
Referee • 25 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 30.4
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 4
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0.36
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0.36
League Avg 0
N. Back
N. Back
1st Assistant • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
A. Ang Ribeiro
A. Ang Ribeiro
2nd Assistant • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
L. Canetto Bellote
L. Canetto Bellote
4th Official • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Internacional P. Pezzolano Suárez
P. Pezzolano Suárez
VS
Cruzeiro Artur Jorge
Artur Jorge
1.17
Avg Points / Game (Last 100 Matches)
1.33
1.33 i
Last 6 Opponents
Bragantino Rank: 64 L
Vitória Rank: 62 L
Vasco da Gama Rank: 60 W
Coritiba Rank: 59 D
Fluminense Rank: 68 W
Botafogo Rank: 68 D
Avg Points / Game (Last 6 Matches)
1.83 i
Last 6 Opponents
Fluminense Rank: 68 D
Chapecoense Rank: 52 W
Palmeiras Rank: 76 D
Bahia Rank: 62 W
Atlético Mineiro Rank: 64 L
Remo Rank: 58 W
2
Head to Head (Wins - Draws - Losses)
2 - 1 - 1
1

Team Power Ranking

i
What is Power Ranking?
Power ranking is SportMonks' model-based team strength indicator. Historical input capped to 2 seasons.
63.44
67.77
0 (Weakest) 100 (Strongest)
Metric
Internacional
Cruzeiro
Power Score
63.44
67.77
League Position
14
7
Global Rank
430
306

Form Analysis Opponent-Weighted

Line chart of recent results (points/trend). Friendlies excluded by default. Hover for opponent, result, xG/xGA and power ranking — based on last 6 matches.

–
vs
Internacional — Opponent-weighted form score
Cruzeiro — Opponent-weighted form score
Win (3 pts) Draw (1 pt) Loss (0 pts) Internacional Cruzeiro

Heatmaps Ball coordinates

Attack and defence zones from ball position data. Filters: last 6 matches (overall/home/away), time period, competition.

–
vs

Internacional

Left / Center / Right —
Opposition half density —
vs season average —

Cruzeiro

Left / Center / Right —
Opposition half density —
vs season average —

Possession Efficiency Possession-Adjusted

How effectively each team uses and defends their share of possession. Efficiency adjusted based on team possession percentage

Internacional ⚠ Proxy
vs
⚠ Proxy Cruzeiro
Attacking Efficiency
Higher is better
Attacking Efficiency
50.00
28.96
Defensive Efficiency
Lower is better
Defensive Efficiency
28.96
50.00
Combined Efficiency Index Z-score combining attacking and defensive possession-adjusted efficiency.
Positive = above league average.
Negative = below league average.
Formula: EfficiencyIndex = z(AttackEff) − z(DefenceEff)
-3 0 3
Internacional +1.73 Efficiency Index
vs
Cruzeiro -1.73 Efficiency Index
xG data unavailable for both teams. Values estimated using shots and dangerous attacks (proxy). Confidence: Medium.
Internacional
Cruzeiro
AttackEff = xG ÷ pos
DefenceEff = xGA ÷ (1−pos)

Set Pieces Efficiency Attack & Defence

Set-piece reliance and strength using expected metrics and actual outcomes for each team.

Internacional
vs
Cruzeiro
Created Set-piece attacking threat
Internacional Cruzeiro
Set-piece xG Share Share of total expected goals generated from set pieces. Higher = more set-piece reliant in attack.
17%
7%
Goals per Match Average set-piece goals scored per match.
0.00 0.00
vs Expected (xG) Goals scored minus set-piece xG. Positive = overperforming; Negative = underperforming expectations.
-0.28 vs -0.09
Conceded Set-piece defensive exposure
Internacional Cruzeiro
Set-piece xGA Share Share of total expected goals conceded from set pieces. Higher = more exposed to set pieces defensively.
7%
17%
Conceded per Match Average set-piece goals conceded per match.
0.00 0.00
vs Expected (xGA) Goals conceded minus set-piece xGA. Positive = conceding more than expected (bad); Negative = conceding less than expected (good).
-0.09 vs -0.28
Internacional
Cruzeiro
xG Share = set-piece xG ÷ total xG
vs Expected = goals − set-piece xG

Counter / Transition Attack & Defence

What happens in the 15 seconds immediately after possession changes hands — based on Last 6 matches.

–
Internacional
vs
Cruzeiro
Attack After Winning Possession transition → offence
Internacional Cruzeiro
Goals per Match Average goals scored within 15s of winning the ball per match. ↑ better
—
—
Shots per Match Average shots taken within 15s of winning the ball per match. ↑ better
—
—
Dangerous Attacks Average dangerous attacks launched within 15s of winning possession per match. ↑ better
—
—
Transition Efficiency Index Composite score (0–1) of how efficiently this team attacks within 15s of winning the ball. Higher = more dangerous on transition. Higher = stronger on the counter
Internacional 0.42
Cruzeiro 0.28
Defence After Losing Possession loss → defensive exposure
Internacional Cruzeiro
Goals Conceded Average goals conceded within 15s of losing the ball per match. ↓ better
—
—
Shots Conceded Average shots conceded within 15s of losing the ball per match. ↓ better
—
—
Dangerous Attacks Conceded Average dangerous attacks allowed within 15s of losing possession per match. ↓ better
—
—
Vulnerability Index Composite score (0–1) of how exposed this team is within 15s of losing the ball. Lower = better at preventing transition attacks. Lower = better transition defence
Internacional 0.04
Cruzeiro 0.02
Internacional
Cruzeiro
Window = 15s post-possession change
Index = 0–1 composite score

PRESSURE INDEX

Momentum phases from smoothed minute-by-minute pressure.

  • INL had peak pressure around 28'.
  • CRZ started the game with stronger pressure.
INL Pressure CRZ Pressure
⚡
Pressure Index: INL reached the top pressure at 28' (100.00).

Team Head to Head Last 6 Seasons

Summary of 4 matches between these sides — filtered by competition and venue context.

Internacional INL Home
4 matches
Cruzeiro CRZ Away
Match Record
2
Wins
1
1
Draws
1
1
Losses
2
Goals
5
Goals Scored
2
2
Goals Conceded
5
+3
Goal Difference
-3
Expected Goals
0
xG
0
0
xGA
0

Data last updated: 2026-07-24T00:00:46+00:00

STARTING XI

Match Formation 4-4-2
Match Formation 4-2-3-1
Pitch

General Information

Date & Time
Competition
2026 Serie A, Brazil · Round 19 · Regular Season
Stadium
Estadio Beira-Rio
Capacity
50842
Attendance
12266
Pitch Surface
N/A
Weather
☀️ 12°C, Fair
Referees
Flavio Rodrigues De Souza
Neuza Ines Back
Alex Ang Ribeiro
Lucas Canetto Bellote

Statistics

Possession
INL
47%
CRZ
53%

Top Statistics

1 Goals 2
3 Big Chances Created 3
11 Shots 4
50 Dangerous attacks 47
47 Possession 53
5 Corners 7
14 Free kicks 18
1 Yellow Cards 6
1 Red Cards 0

Match Overview

61 Ball Safe 81
6 Goal Kicks 12
12 Goal Attempts 9
5 Substitutions 5
19 Throwins 18
12 Successful Headers 10
1 Assists 2
2 Injuries 1
10 Dribble Attempts 13
3 Successful Dribbles 7
30 Successful Dribbles Percentage 54

Attacking

104 Attacks 86
2 Big Chances Missed 2

Possession

42 Long Passes 49
341 Passes 404
263 Successful Passes 322
77 Successful Passes Percentage 80
13 Key Passes 11
16 Successful Long Passes 24
38 Successful Long Passes Percentage 49

Defensive

3 Saves 1
10 Tackles 21
10 Interceptions 8
37 Duels Won 58

Build-up

32 Total Crosses 12
7 Accurate Crosses 5

Discipline

3 Offsides 5
18 Fouls 14

Lineup

Referee : Flavio Rodrigues De Souza

Starting XI ▼

12
Anthoni
Anthoni Goalkeeper
6.57
3
Guillermo Maripán
Guillermo Maripán Defender
6.3
4
Félix Torres
Félix Torres Defender
6.31
25
Gabriel Mercado
Gabriel Mercado (C) Defender
6.96
41
Victor Gabriel
Victor Gabriel
Defender46'
4.08
53
Luiz Felipe de Morais Francisco
Luiz Felipe de Morais Francisco Defender
6.4
6
Matheus Bahia
Matheus Bahia
Defender46'
7.26
5
Rodrigo Villagra
Rodrigo Villagra Midfielder
6.44
27
Paulinho Paula
Paulinho Paula
Midfielder86'
15
Bruno Gomes
Bruno Gomes Midfielder
7.21
35
Braian Aguirre
Braian Aguirre
Defender86'
26
Alexandro Bernabei
Alexandro Bernabei Midfielder
6.76
28
Vitinho
Vitinho Midfielder
6.56
7
Johan Carbonero
Johan Carbonero Attacker
7.41
9
Alerrandro
Alerrandro Attacker
6.46
8
Bruno Henrique
Bruno Henrique
Midfielder73'
6.68
Referee : Flavio Rodrigues De Souza

Starting XI ▼

81
Otávio Costa
Otávio Costa Goalkeeper
6.37
15
Fabrício Bruno
Fabrício Bruno Defender
7.35
23
Fagner
Fagner Defender
7.93
12
William
William
Defender87'
27
Gabriel Rojas
Gabriel Rojas Defender
6.95
34
Jonathan Jesus
Jonathan Jesus Defender
7.44
7
Matheus Henrique
Matheus Henrique Midfielder
7.04
8
Gerson
Gerson Midfielder
7.08
94
Wanderson
Wanderson
Attacker86'
10
Matheus Pereira
Matheus Pereira (C) Midfielder
7.8
17
Luis Sinisterra
Luis Sinisterra Midfielder
6.49
16
Lucas Silva
Lucas Silva
Midfielder77'
6.33
77
Gabriel Pec
Gabriel Pec Midfielder
6.66
9
Bruno Rodrigues
Bruno Rodrigues
Attacker62'
6.56
19
Kaio Jorge
Kaio Jorge Attacker
7.69
22
Néiser Villarreal
Néiser Villarreal
Midfielder87'

Events

2ND-HALF
89'
Event
Lucas Silva 
Foul / 7th Yellowcard
87'
Event
William → Fagner
9th Substitution
87'
Event
Néiser Villarreal → Kaio Jorge 
10th Substitution
Event
Braian Aguirre → Bruno Gomes
6th Substitution
86'
Event
Paulinho Paula → Rodrigo Villagra
7th Substitution
86'
86'
Event
Wanderson → Gerson
8th Substitution
Event
Johan Carbonero
Right foot shot / 3rd Goal
83'
77'
Event
Lucas Silva  → Luis Sinisterra 
5th Substitution
Event
Bruno Henrique → Alerrandro
4th Substitution
73'
66'
Event
Matheus Henrique
Foul / 6th Yellowcard
64'
Event
Matheus Pereira
Right foot shot / 2nd Goal
62'
Event
Bruno Rodrigues → Gabriel Pec
3rd Substitution
Event
Victor Gabriel
Foul / 1st Redcard
59'
Event
Matheus Bahia → Luiz Felipe de Morais Francisco
1st Substitution
46'
Event
Victor Gabriel → Gabriel Mercado
2nd Substitution
46'
1ST-HALF
45+3'
Event
Jonathan Jesus
Foul / 5th Yellowcard
Event
Alexandro Bernabei
Foul / 4th Yellowcard
35'
33'
Event
Matheus Pereira
3rd Yellowcard
18'
Event
Fagner
Foul / 2nd Yellowcard
16'
Event
Gerson
Foul / 1st Yellowcard
11'
Event
Kaio Jorge 
Right foot shot / 1st Goal

Match Commentary

90
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
90
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
90
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
90
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
90
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
89
Update Update
Offside.
89
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card issued to Lucas Silva.
88
Update Update
Offside.
87
Update Update
On comes William de Asevedo Furtado, off goes Fagner Conserva Lemos.
87
Update Update
On for Neiser Villareal, off goes Kaio Jorge Pinto Ramos.
86
Update Update
Wanderson Maciel Sousa Campos is on, and Gerson Santos da Silva is off.
86
Update Update
Paulo Lucas Santos de Paula comes on for Rodrigo Villagra.
86
Update Update
Braian Aguirre replaces Bruno Gomes da Silva Clevelario.
83
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Johan Carbonero takes a shot with his right foot and scores.
83
Attempt Attempt
Matheus Bahia takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
83
Attempt Attempt
Bruno Gomes da Silva Clevelario takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
83
Attempt Attempt
Johan Carbonero attempts a header but misses the shot.
83
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! Johan Carbonero scores, making it 1-2.
81
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
81
Update Update
Offside.
78
Attempt Attempt
Bruno Henriaque Corsini takes a right-footed shot but misses.
77
Update Update
Lucas Silva is on, and Luis Sinisterra is off.
77
Attempt Attempt
Matheus Pereira takes a left-footed shot but misses.
73
Update Update
Bruno Henriaque Corsini is on, and Alerrandro Barra Mansa Realino de Souza is off.
71
Attempt Attempt
Shot by Alexandro Bernabei with his left foot, but it misses the target.
68
Attempt Attempt
Bruno Rafael Rodrigues do Nascimento takes a right-footed shot but misses.
66
Attempt Attempt
Vitor Naum takes a header but misses the shot.
66
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Matheus Henrique receives a yellow card.
66
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
64
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Matheus Pereira scores with a right-footed shot.
64
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! Matheus Pereira scores to make it 2-0, assisted by Fagner Conserva Lemos.
62
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! Matheus Pereira scores, making it 0-2.
59
Update Update
Bruno Rafael Rodrigues do Nascimento is on, and Gabriel Fortes Chaves is off.
58
Red Card Red Card Important
Red card shown to Victor Gabriel.
58
Attempt Attempt
Victor Gabriel's header is saved.
58
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
57
Attempt Attempt
Rodrigo Villagra takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
56
Update Update
Offside.
55
Attempt Attempt
Luis Sinisterra takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
54
Attempt Attempt
Alexandro Bernabei takes a left-footed shot but misses.
54
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
52
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
52
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
51
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
50
Attempt Attempt
Luis Sinisterra takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
46
Update Update
On Victor Gabriel, off Gabriel Mercado.
46
Update Update
Matheus Bahia comes on for Luiz Felipe de Morais Francisco.
45
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
45
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
45
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card for Jonathan Jesus.
44
Attempt Attempt
Johan Carbonero takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
44
Update Update
Offside.
43
Attempt Attempt
Guillermo Maripan attempts a header but misses the shot.
41
Attempt Attempt
Gabriel Fortes Chaves attempts a header, but it is saved.
35
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Alexandro Bernabei receives a yellow card.
33
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Matheus Pereira receives a yellow card.
31
Attempt Attempt
Alexandro Bernabei takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
30
Attempt Attempt
Kaio Jorge Pinto Ramos takes a left-footed shot but misses.
28
Update Update
Offside.
26
Update Update
Offside.
26
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
25
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
25
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
25
Attempt Attempt
Alexandro Bernabei missed a left-footed shot.
22
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
20
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
20
Attempt Attempt
Alexandro Bernabei's left-footed shot is blocked.
18
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card for Fagner Conserva Lemos.
17
Attempt Attempt
Johan Carbonero takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
16
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card shown to Gerson Santos da Silva.
15
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card shown to Gerson Santos da Silva.
13
Attempt Attempt
Matheus Henrique takes a left-footed shot, but it's blocked.
11
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Kaio Jorge Pinto Ramos scores with a right-footed shot.
11
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! Kaio Jorge Pinto Ramos scores to make it 1-0, assisted by Fagner Conserva Lemos.
10
Update Update
Offside.
8
Attempt Attempt
Alexandro Bernabei takes a left-footed shot but misses.
6
Update Update
VAR decision reviewed for Gabriel Fortes Chaves.
6
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
2
Attempt Attempt
Kaio Jorge Pinto Ramos takes a shot with his right foot, but it is saved.
2
Attempt Attempt
Gabriel Fortes Chaves takes a shot with his right foot, but it is saved.
2
Attempt Attempt
Rodrigo Villagra takes a right-footed shot but misses.
1
Attempt Attempt
Alerrandro Barra Mansa Realino de Souza takes a right-footed shot, but it misses the target.
1
Update Update
Kick-off! The referee is Flavio Rodrigues De Souza.

CONCLUSION

Cruzeiro secured the 2-1 win over Internacional through effective use of their numerical advantage after the red card. The visitors maintained composure despite lower xG totals and converted key opportunities. Internacional created more expected chances but could not overcome the disruption caused by the dismissal. Possession favored Cruzeiro slightly and they managed the game tempo well in the closing stages. The result underscores how pivotal moments can override statistical projections in tight contests. Both teams showed periods of control yet the away side capitalized on the structural shift to claim all three points on the road.