The opening leg of the 2024 Copa Libertadores semi-final saw two dominant victories. Atlético Mineiro of Brazil overcame Argentina’s River Plate with a commanding 3-0 triumph on Tuesday at Arena MRV in Belo Horizonte, taking a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. Meanwhile, Botafogo demonstrated superiority, outclassing Uruguayan team Peñarol with a 5-0 drubbing.
With such significant wins at home, the focus now shifts to the return fixtures where River Plate and Peñarol have major comebacks to stage. To advance to the Final, these teams need to overcome the aggregate score deficit, presenting a formidable challenge for the next week.
Currently, an all-Brazilian Final seems probable unless the home teams produce remarkable performances. Brazilian clubs have claimed the tournament victory for the past five consecutive years.
The winners of the Libertadores will earn a spot in the 2024 FIFA Intercontinental Cup scheduled for December. Additionally, Atlético, Botafogo, and Peñarol have the opportunity to secure South America’s last berth at the 32-team FIFA Club World Cup 2025, for which River Plate has already qualified.
Atlético Mineiro Triumphs 3-0 Over River Plate in Semi-Final Clash
Atlético Mineiro of Brazil achieved a notable 3-0 victory over Argentina’s River Plate in the initial leg of their semi-final on Tuesday. This sets them just one game away from their second Copa Libertadores Final in franchise history, having previously won the tournament in 2013.
The standout player was striker Deyverson, who netted two goals for Atlético Mineiro. Despite an early goal being disallowed, Deyverson’s persistence paid off, leading his team to a crucial win.
In the 22nd minute, he successfully netted the opening goal after maneuvering past goalkeeper Franco Armani. His second came in the 70th minute with a well-placed shot across the goal.
Paulinho swiftly followed up with another goal just four minutes later, putting his team ahead by three goals before the second leg in Buenos Aires.
River Plate struggled to generate offensive momentum in the first half but managed to create a few chances in the second. Nevertheless, Atletico’s goalkeeper, Everson, maintained a clean sheet, denying River Plate any goals.
Despite facing a three-goal deficit, River Plate remains optimistic about their prospects at Estadio Monumental next Tuesday. As seven-time finalists, they possess the offensive capability to stage a comeback but will need exceptional performance to overcome their current disadvantage. Look for them to adopt an aggressive strategy early on, potentially resulting in a high-scoring match.
Botafogo Edges Closer to First Copa Libertadores Final with Stunning 5-0 Win
Brazilian team Botafogo dominated Uruguay’s Penarol with a sweeping 5-0 victory on Wednesday, setting them on the path to their first-ever final in the tournament. The match took place at the Nilton Santos Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro and will continue in Montevideo for the second leg next Wednesday.
Venezuelan player Jefferson Savarino initiated the scoring for Botafogo in the 51st minute, which led to an onslaught of goals. Savarino deftly slotted the ball to the right of an unprepared Washington Aguerre, the opposing goalkeeper. Shortly thereafter, in the 55th minute, Alexander Barboza secured the second goal from close range, with Savarino returning to score again and extend the lead to 3-0.
Dominating the game, Botofago maintained their momentum when Brazilian forward Luiz Henrique netted the fourth goal at the 71st-minute mark. Subsequently, Igor Jesus sealed their triumph with a fifth goal in the 79th minute, capping off an impressive performance.
Trailing by five goals, the five-time champions Penarol face a daunting task in the return leg of the semifinals.