Belo Horizonte—Under the electric atmosphere at Arena MRV, Atlético Mineiro snapped a six-match winless run with a gritty 1-0 victory over high-flying Mirassol, a result that could prove pivotal in their fight to avoid relegation. The night belonged to defender Vitor Hugo, whose early header set the tone for a contest packed with drama, tension, and standout performances.

From the opening whistle, Atlético-MG pressed the visitors relentlessly, their urgency palpable as they sought to erase weeks of frustration. Mirassol’s veteran goalkeeper Walter was called into action almost immediately, producing a spectacular close-range save against Caio Paulista in the seventh minute to keep his side afloat. But the breakthrough came not long after. A dangerous corner from Nathanael was deftly flicked on by Roni, and Vitor Hugo rose highest to nod home, sending the home crowd into raptures with his acrobatic celebration.

Walter’s heroics kept Mirassol in the contest, denying Atlético a second goal with a series of reflex saves as the hosts dominated the first half. The mood shifted dramatically in the 42nd minute when Atlético’s Junior Alonso was shown a straight red card for violent conduct after a VAR review, reducing the hosts to ten men and handing Mirassol a lifeline.

The second half saw Mirassol seize the initiative, bringing on Alesson and launching wave after wave of attacks against a depleted Atlético side. Yet, as the pressure mounted, Atlético’s goalkeeper Everson delivered a man-of-the-match performance, producing a string of “miraculous” saves that ultimately preserved the slim lead. Atlético’s resilience was tested further when Junior Santos limped off late in stoppage time, leaving the team with just nine men on the pitch and no substitutions remaining.

With their backs to the wall, Atlético dug deep, surviving a frenetic final assault from Mirassol to secure a victory that felt as much about spirit as skill. The win lifts Atlético-MG to 14th place on 28 points—six clear of the relegation zone—while Mirassol, whose four-match winning streak was snapped, remain in the top four with 42 points.

This result delivers a lifeline for Atlético-MG, whose next fixture against Juventude offers a chance to continue their ascent and distance themselves from the drop. For Mirassol, the defeat is a setback in their pursuit of the league summit, a reminder of the unforgiving nature of the Brasileirão.

Key Moments:

• Vitor Hugo’s opening goal off a near-post header (9’).
• Walter’s multiple first-half saves to keep Mirassol in contention.
• Junior Alonso’s red card after VAR review, shifting momentum.
• Everson’s second-half saves, preserving the win despite Atlético finishing with nine men.

With the stakes rising, Atlético-MG’s resolve under adversity will be closely watched, while Mirassol must regroup to stay in the title race. This was Brazilian football at its most dramatic—passionate, unpredictable, and fiercely contested.