Botafogo, despite being reduced to ten men, triumphed over Atletico Mineiro with a 3-1 victory to claim their inaugural Copa Libertadores championship.
Botafogo triumphed over Atletico Mineiro with a 3-1 victory to claim their inaugural Copa Libertadores title, even after being reduced to 10 players following Gregore’s dismissal a mere 30 seconds after the start at the Monumental Stadium on Saturday. Enthusiastic supporters clad in black-and-white jerseys, representing both teams’ colours, had scarcely settled when Gregore received a red card for a foul on Fausto Vera, who suffered a bleeding head due to a high kick. Mineiro sought to capitalise on their numerical advantage in the final, marking the fourth all-Brazilian showdown in five years, by launching attacks with Hulk and Deyverson leading the charge. Nevertheless, Botafogo struck first in the 35th minute when Thiago Almada delivered a precise pass to Luiz Henrique, who confidently slotted it into the net. Seven minutes later, Botafogo earned a penalty when Everson collided with Luiz Henrique while trying to catch the ball. Following a VAR review, Alex Telles successfully converted the penalty, extending the lead to 2-0.
Mineiro’s aspirations were revived right after the interval when Eduardo Vargas nodded in a corner delivered by Hulk. They pressed forward in pursuit of an equaliser, with Deyverson and Vargas coming closest to scoring. However, Botafogo’s defence stood firm, and goalkeeper John thwarted Mineiro’s attempts, while Junior Santos sealed the victory in stoppage time during a thrilling match that secured coach Artur Jorge’s team their inaugural title in the South American tournament. Following the presentation of the trophy by 24-time Grand Slam tennis champion Novak Djokovic, a delighted Almada remarked: “Today, even with one less player on the field, we executed a smart game. It was a testament to the team’s character, and I believe we truly earned this title.” Mineiro’s coach Gabriel Milito acknowledged his team’s inability to leverage their numerical advantage. “We had an exceptionally favourable situation with an extra player for the entire match. It was a significant advantage. Undoubtedly, we squandered an unforgettable opportunity to claim the Libertadores.”
Botafogo’s victory earned them a spot in the enlarged 2025 Club World Cup hosted in the United States.
