The first leg of the 2024 Copa Libertadores semi-final is in the books with two convincing wins. Brazilian Club Atlético Mineiro defeated the mighty Argentinian side River Plate 3-0 on Tuesday at Arena MRV in Belo Horizonte, taking a 1-0 lead in the two-game series. Botafogo joined them as winners, dominating their Uruguayan opponents Peñarol 5-0 in a one-sided affair.
With both the home teams posting big wins, the series will shift back home where much will be needed from River Plate and Peñarol. Advancing to the Final requires teams to win on aggregate score, leaving them in quite a hole going into next week.
At the moment it looks like the Final will likely be an all-Brazilian affair but some heroics at home could turn the tables. Brazilian teams have won the tournament for the past five years.
The Libertadores champions will qualify for the FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2024, which will be taking place in December of this year. Atletico, Botafogo and Penarol also have the chance to book South America’s final spot at the 32-team FIFA Club World Cup 2025 next year, which River Plate has already qualified for.
Atlético Mineiro Win 3-0 Against River Plate In Cash Of Titans
Brazil’s Atletico Mineiro secured a big 3-0 win at home over Argentina’s River Plate in the first leg of their semi-final on Tuesday. The win puts them just one match away from playing their second Copa Libertadores Final in franchise history. Their last finals appearance came in 2013 when they came out as the tournament winners.
The hero of the match was striker Deyverson who scored two goals on the night for Atletico Mineiro. The Brazilian had an early goal called back but that didn’t stop his relentless attack.
He was able to open the scoring in the 22nd minute after dribbling past goalkeeper Franco Armani to slot one into the back of the net. He later added another in the 70th minute via a crossed shot.
Paulinho tacked one on just four minutes later to give his side a three-goal advantage heading into the second leg in Buenos Aires.
River Plate couldn’t get much going on offense in the first half but were able to create a couple of opportunities in the second. Still, they couldn’t get the ball past Atletico goalkeeper Everson who came away with yet another shutout.
Despite being down three goals, River Plate will fancy their chances when they head back home to Estadio Monumental next Tuesday. The seven-time finalists have the firepower to score goals in a hurry but will need to play almost perfectly to get themselves out of the hole they’re in. Expect them to push the pace early and play a highly offensive game which could lead to a very high-scoring affair.
Botafogo Nears First Copa Libertadores Final With Huge 5-0 Victory
Brazil’s Botafogo crushed Uruguay’s Penarol 5-0 on Wednesday to bring them closer to their first final in the tournament. The match took place at the Nilton Santos Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro and will shift to Montevideo for the second leg next Wednesday.
Venezuelan Jefferson Savarino opened the scoring for Botafogo in the 51st minute, which opened the floodgates. He was able to gently push the ball to the right of goalkeeper Washington Aguerre who was caught off guard. Just four minutes later, Alexander Barboza scored the second goal for his side from close range, and Savarino joined the party in the 55th to make it 3-0.
With firm control over the match, Botofago looked to continue the pressure as Brazil striker Luiz Henrique scored the fourth goal in the 71st minute. Igor Jesus added the 5th and final goal in the 79th minute to put an exclamation point on the day.
Five goals behind, five-time champions Penarol will have their work cut out from them in the second leg of the semis.
