The 2-2 draw between Cruzeiro and Flamengo in the Libertadores quarterfinals highlighted the difference in the teams' reserve benches. Cruzeiro opted for young players under 21, while Flamengo chose players who cost over R$ 400 million.
Cruzeiro's Artur Jorge made three of the five possible substitutions, bringing on midfielder Zé Lucas (18) and forwards João Costa (21) and Kaique Kenji (20). Both Zé Lucas and João Costa made their Libertadores debut. Zé Lucas was contracted by Cruzeiro in the mid-year transfer window for R$ 25 million, while João Costa joined on loan for a year. Kenji is a product of Cruzeiro's youth academy and has been part of the first team since last year.
Flamengo's Leonardo Jardim also had key players missing, including Alex Sandro, Vitão, Cebolinha, and Luiz Araújo. However, his bench was still stacked with talent. In the second half, Jardim made four substitutions, bringing on Guillermo Varella, Carrascal, Lucas Paquetá, and Pedro. The three players who were part of the Brazil national team in the 2026 World Cup, along with Pedro, who represented Brazil in the 2022 World Cup.