New Delhi: The Copa Libertadores final witnessed all the emotions at once as 10-man Botafogo beat Atletico Mineiro 1-3 at River Plate’s Monumentral Stadium in Buenos Aires. The victory marked their first Copa Libertadores in their 123-year-long history. In the packed stadium with more than 80,000 Brazilian fans, all the football lovers felt shocked, elated, sad, and angry within the opening 45 minutes.
The final was grand, not just for the ceremony but also for the kick-off. The 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic placed the trophy on a plinth before delivering a coin to the match referee. When the real action started within the opening minute the controversial incident set the tone of the match as Botafogo’s midfielder Gregore was shown a red card and left the field after getting booked for a high kick to the head of Fausto Vera.
What was that?! The fastest red card in the Copa #Libertadores final. Botafogo’s Gregore with a criminal tackle on Fausto Vera.pic.twitter.com/mM8aqBj5Dt
— BabaGol (@BabaGol_) November 30, 2024
Fogo played with ten men and after almost having their hearts in their mouths in the 34th minute Luis Henrique sent Botafogo fans wild as he smashed home with his left foot inside the box. Botafogo doubled their lead just before the half time when their goalscorer Henrique was fouled in the box by Atletico keeper Everson resulting in a penalty and Manchester United left-back Alex Telles made no mistake.
In the second half, Atletico tried to make a comeback as Eduardo Vargas scored with a header from the coroner within two minutes into the game. Atletico tried to equalize but Vargas missed a golden opportunity when he could have scored from five yards. Botafogo didn’t let Atletico’s extra man bother them as they wrapped their historic victory in the added time with substitute Junior Santos scoring from close range in the seventh minute.
EU TE AMO JUNIOR SANTOS TINHA QUE SER SEU pic.twitter.com/SbOo9HD5tG
— Tática Alvinegra (@TaticaAlvinegra) November 30, 2024
The Botafogo players after the final whistle sunk to the turf after etching their names in the club’s history while Atletico’s Argentine manager Gabriel Milito dropped to his knees as he missed out, especially Vargas’s missed opportunity.
With two Brazilian clubs reaching the final, Brazilian football secured its sixth consecutive Copa Libertadores title and its 24th overall, just one less than clubs from Argentina’s record.
TIC-TAC… 🏆⏳ pic.twitter.com/SOL04J4tOA
— Out of Context Libertadores (@OoCLibertadores) December 1, 2024
This triumph also marked the third consecutive victory for teams from Rio de Janeiro, following Fluminense’s win in 2023 and Flamengo’s in 2022. Additionally, the victory has also secured the Brazilian club the last of the 32 spots in the expanded 2025 Club World Cup which will be hosted in the United States.
Botafogo beats Atletico Mineiro 3-1 in a dramatic Copa Libertadores final, overcoming a red card to secure their first title in 123 years at Monumental Stadium. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
