Botafogo's forward #07 Luis Henrique celebrates with teammate forward #99 Igor Jesus after scoring ... [+]
Botafogo have defeated Atlético Mineiro 3-1 to lift a first ever Copa Libertadores in Buenos Aires this Saturday.
Within two minutes of the game starting Botafogo midfielder Gregore was sent off. The 30 year-old Brazilian received a straight red after his boot connected with the head of an opponent. The punishment might have been a little harsh as even though it was a horrible connection the Mineiro player dipped his head very low and quite quickly in an attempt to win the ball.
Argentine referee Facundo Tello gives a red card to Botafogo's midfielder #26 Gregore (Top-L) during ... [+]
Given that Botafogo was the big favourite coming into this match the red card served to balance things up. For the opening part of the game Hulk had some long range pop shots for Mineiro but they didn’t dominate the Rio de Janeiro based team.
On the half-hour mark the referee awarded Rodrigo Battaglia of Atlético Mineiro a yellow card for bringing down Igor Jesus on the break. This too felt like a harsh punishment and may have been some sort of attempt at evening things up by the man in charge.
Then after 35 minutes the opening goal game, for 10-man Botafogo. A set-piece scramble fell to Luiz Henrique at the back post, he slotted home and the Botafogo end behind the goal exploded.
Less than 10 minutes later it was 2-0. Luis Henrique again making something out of nothing. He crept in between goalkeeper and defender to nick the ball wide before the keeper clattered him to the ground. The referee missed it but after a VAR review the penalty was awarded and Alex Telles made no mistake.
BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA - NOVEMBER 30: Alex Telles of Botafogo scores the team's second goal via ... [+]
After six minutes of added time, the first half ended 2-0. Despite being a man down Botafogo was in pole position. Atlético Mineiro, who hadn’t won in ten games before this final, certainly looked like a side lacking in confidence. On the other hand Botafogo and their fans could be forgiven for thinking that their name, surely, was to be written on the trophy this year.
Yet, Eduardo Vargas, one of three half-time substitutes, pulled one pack for ‘O Galo’ after just two minutes of the second period. It was game on once again and not for the first time the momentum in the stadium shifted.
As time passed Atlético Mineiro pushed Botafogo back into their own box and the leading team started to celebrate clearances like they were goals down the other end. It was backs against the wall stuff for the ten men.
Botafogo's goalkeeper #12 John Victor (C) grabs the ball past Atletico Mineiro's forward #07 Hulk ... [+]
The second half continued to be contested in the Botafogo half, but clear chances were proving hard to come by for Atlético Mineiro. As the minutes went by the Botafogo stand grew more and more confident and louder and louder.
After seven minutes of stoppage time in the second period, the final whistle was blown, and not only had Botafogo held their lead, but they added a late goal on the break as ‘O Galo’ pressed forward. That was it, the icing on the cake, the nail in the coffin. Botafogo crowned continental champions for the first time in their history.
