Copa Libertadores 2024: Ten-man Botafogo overcome fellow Brazilians Atletico Mineiro to clinch historic first title
Published 30/11/2024 at 22:40 GMT
Despite being reduced to 10 men in the opening minute of the Copa Libertadores final, Botafogo delivered an inspiring performance to beat Atletico Mineiro 3-1 and win their first-ever title. Gregore was sent off in the first minute for a rash challenge, but goals from Luiz Henrique, former Manchester United player Alex Telles and Junior Santos helped them to a famous victory.
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Botafogo made history as, with ten men, they beat fellow Brazilians Atletico Mineiro 3-1 in the Copa Libertadores final on Saturday to lift the trophy for the first time ever.
Their victory over the 2013 champions in Buenos Aires was a unique one, as the Brazilian side played the entire match with a numerical disadvantage after a sending-off in the opening minute.
Central midfielder Gregore made a rash challenge in the first seconds of the match and caught Fausto Vera with a high boot.
Gregore was shown a red card instantly in a major boost for Mineiro, but the three-time Brazilian Serie A champions found themselves trailing half an hour later.
Against the run of play, Luiz Henrique drove into the box and dealt with a rebound before drilling Botafogo ahead from a tight angle.
Henrique was involved again when he forced goalkeeper Everson into making a foul in the penalty box, which former Manchester United defender Alex Telles tucked away for a two-goal lead, against all the odds.
Mineiro quickly got themselves back in the game just two minutes into the second half when Eduardo Vargas latched on the end of former Porto winger Hulk’s pass and sent a looping cross into the top corner.
Atletico Mineiro pushed hard for an equaliser in the closing stages and Vargas was gifted with two golden opportunities to add to his haul and pull his team level.
For the first chance, he got on the end of a perfectly weighted through ball before guiding the ball over the bar from close range.
And with barely enough time to digest his first miss, he skewed another when he capitalised on a mix-up at the back between two Botafogo defenders, raced through on goal and lifted the ball over the bar.
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But there was still time for another goal in the final seconds of injury time, as Botafogo extended their advantage in the 97th minute when Junior Santos poked home from close range to seal the victory.
It was a historic triumph for Botafogo, who became the 27th team to lift the iconic South American title.
The season could yet get even better for former Braga boss Artur Jorge's side, who are well-placed to scoop what would be a stunning Libertadores-Serie A double.
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