In a thrilling match on Wednesday, Botafogo from Brazil secured their place in the Copa Libertadores final for the first time, despite falling 3-1 to Uruguay’s Penarol. The team from Rio de Janeiro had established a commanding advantage by winning the first leg of the semifinal 5-0.
In the championship match scheduled for November 30 in Buenos Aires, Botafogo will clash with another Brazilian team, Atletico Mineiro. Atletico earned their spot after holding Argentina’s River Plate to a scoreless draw on Tuesday, adding to their earlier 3-0 victory in the first leg.
Botafogo opted to rest several key players for this decisive encounter, including national team forwards Luiz Henrique and Igor Jesus, capitalizing on their significant initial lead. Penarol’s Jaime Báez shone bright during the match, netting two goals—his first from distance in the 31st minute and the second from just outside the box in the 66th minute. However, Penarol was left at a disadvantage due to an unexpected red card issued to goalkeeper Washington Aguerre during halftime when he deliberately stepped on the foot of Botafogo’s keeper, John.
The situation became even more complicated for Botafogo, as Mateo Ponte received a second yellow card, leaving the team with ten men in the 69th minute. Later in the match, World Cup champion Thiago Almada made an impact for Botafogo in the second half, scoring in the 88th minute. However, just one minute later, Facundo Batista of Penarol scored a third goal for the hosts, sealing the match.
Brazilian clubs have dominated the tournament in recent years, winning the Copa Libertadores for the last five consecutive seasons. The final will take place at the Monumental de Nunez Stadium in Buenos Aires, heightening the anticipation for this year’s matchup.
Atletico Mineiro’s performance on Tuesday also impacted the competition for a South American spot in the upcoming 2025 Club World Cup, as their victory knocked out Olimpia of Paraguay from the running. Olimpia would have advanced had River Plate won this edition of the Copa Libertadores, but River was already qualified thanks to their consistent performance over the last four seasons.
FIFA is expected to announce the draw for the June 15 – July 13 tournament in early December, though a specific date has not yet been confirmed.
In other news, Brazilian club Cruzeiro also advanced to the Copa Sudamericana final on Wednesday, winning 1-0 against Argentina’s Lanus, following a 1-1 draw in their first leg. There is a possibility that Cruzeiro could face another Brazilian rival in the final of South America’s second most prestigious club tournament.
Corinthians, featuring Dutch striker Memphis Depay, are set to play against Argentina’s Racing in Buenos Aires on Thursday. Their first leg in Sao Paulo concluded in a 2-2 draw, setting the stage for an exciting second encounter.