Botafogo clinched its first-ever Copa Libertadores final spot despite a 3-1 defeat to Penarol at Estadio Campeón del Siglo in Uruguay on Wednesday. The Brazilian team had dominated the first leg with a 5-0 victory, earning a substantial lead that ultimately proved insurmountable.
In the Final, Botafogo will face fellow Brazilian club Atletico Mineiro, who secured their place after a goalless draw against Argentina’s River Plate on Tuesday, having earlier won the first leg 3-0 at home.
With a five-goal cushion, Botafogo opted to rest several key players, including national team forwards Luiz Henrique and Igor Jesus. Missing these crucial players, the team struggled offensively and conceded twice to Penarol’s Jaime Báez.
Báez’s first goal came from a long-range effort in the 31st minute, which sailed past the Botafogo goalkeeper. His second goal followed in the 66th minute, finding the net from a sharp angle at the edge of the box.
During the halftime break, Penarol’s goalkeeper Washington Aguerre was shown a red card for deliberately stepping on Botafogo’s keeper’s foot. Botafogo later evened out the player count when Mateo Ponte received a second yellow card moments after his first, resulting in his expulsion.
Thiago Almada was brought on for Botafogo early in the second half and managed to score the team’s lone goal in the 88th minute. Penarol’s Facundo Batista netted a consolation goal in the final moments, but it didn’t impact the aggregate score significantly. Ultimately, Botafogo’s initial advantage was decisive as they triumphed 6-3 on aggregate.
The dominance of Brazilian teams in the tournament has been undeniable over the past five years, and it seems likely to persist with an all-Brazilian final lined up. This decisive match is scheduled to take place at the Monumental de Nunez Stadium in Buenos Aires on November 30th.
Given their current performance, Botafogo emerges as the favorites. Their roster includes several players from the Brazilian national team, all of whom have been in exceptional form. Meanwhile, their rivals, Atletico Mineiro, have shown remarkable defensive prowess and will aim to exhaust their opponents.
Atlético Mineiro Advances to Finals After 0-0 Draw with River Plate
Atlético Mineiro is set to return to Buenos Aires for the 2024 Copa Libertadores final after achieving a scoreless draw in the second leg against River Plate. This result concluded the aggregate score at 3-0, favoring the Brazilian team.
In the second leg, hosted by River Plate on Tuesday night, the Argentine team struggled to turn their chances into goals despite several close attempts. Mineiro’s game plan focused heavily on defense, with a significant number of players positioned in the box to disrupt River Plate’s rhythm. Their offensive efforts were minimal, relying on their previous three-goal lead.
Despite River Plate’s relentless attempts to breach Mineiro’s defense, they were unable to score. Colombian striker Miguel Borja often found himself isolated amidst a sea of defenders.
Numerous corners and crosses into the Mineiro box were consistently cleared by their solid defense, marking a steadfast barrier River could not overcome.
On the infrequent moments when the defense was penetrated, goalkeeper Éverson stood firm, positioned perfectly each time.
This victory gives Mineiro an opportunity to clinch their inaugural Copa Libertadores title. Despite being seen as the underdogs against a formidable Botafogo squad, they possess the potential to secure a win if they hit top form on the decisive day. Anticipate a fiercely competitive match, possibly extending to penalties if both sides maintain their performance levels.
