Chaos in Brazil: Video Shows Hulk’s Brutal Punch in Brawl Between Cruzeiro and Atlético Mineiro

The Campeonato Mineiro final between Cruzeiro and Atlético Mineiro ended in controversy after a massive on-field brawl at the Mineirão. Amid the chaos, a punch thrown by Hulk at an opponent was captured on camera and quickly went viral across social media.

Brazilian football witnessed one of its most heated moments of the season during the 2026 Campeonato Mineiro final. With Cruzeiro just minutes away from securing the title against Atlético Mineiro, a late incident near the penalty area sparked a mass confrontation between players from both teams, overshadowing the result of the match.

What should have been a moment of celebration turned into a scene of pushing, punches, and heated confrontations that lasted several minutes while match officials and security personnel struggled to restore order.

The Play That Sparked the Massive Brawl

The tension exploded in the closing moments of the game. Atlético Mineiro goalkeeper Everson dove to secure a loose ball inside the penalty area. However, forward Christian arrived late attempting to strike the rebound and ended up colliding with the goalkeeper.

The reaction was immediate. Everson quickly got up and angrily confronted the opposing striker, prompting several players from both Cruzeiro and Atlético Mineiro to rush into the situation.

Within seconds, the confrontation escalated into a full-scale melee. Players from both sides began pushing and throwing punches in different areas of the field as substitutes and members of the coaching staffs also entered the pitch.

The Mineirão crowd witnessed a chaotic scene rarely seen in professional football.

The Moment Hulk Lost Control

Among the many players involved, one figure drew particular attention: Atlético Mineiro striker Hulk. At first, the Brazilian forward appeared to be trying to separate teammates and calm the situation so the match could resume.

But the atmosphere intensified when Hulk himself received a blow from behind during the confrontation.

Television cameras captured the exact moment the powerful forward raised his arm and threw a direct punch at an opponent. The footage quickly circulated across social media and sports platforms, becoming one of the most talked-about images of the match.

Hulk Apologizes After the Incident

Following the match, Hulk addressed the incident and acknowledged that emotions got the better of the players during the chaotic moment. The Brazilian striker also suggested that the officiating crew struggled to keep the match under control from early on.

According to Hulk, he had warned the referee that the match was becoming increasingly heated and that stronger disciplinary decisions might have prevented the situation from escalating.

He also emphasized that he rarely gets involved in violent actions during games, but admitted that the intensity of the moment and the sight of a teammate being attacked triggered an instinctive reaction.

Now both Cruzeiro and Atlético Mineiro await potential disciplinary sanctions from Brazilian football authorities after one of the most controversial scenes of the season.