Botafogo make history by winning first ever Copa Libertadores in the club history despite going down to 10 men.
Botafogo clinched the first Copa Libertadores in their 123-year history with an incredible victory over Brazilian rivals Atletico Mineiro.
Thirty seconds into the final, Botafogo midfielder Gregore was sent off for a high kick to Fausto Vera’s head, shocking the River Plate Stadium in Argentina.
After 34 minutes with their hearts in their throats, Luiz Henrique’s rare forward strike with his left foot inside the box drove the Botafogo supporters into a frenzy.
Encouraged by that, the ten men attacked once more, and a reckless challenge by Atletico goalkeeper Everson put goal scorer Henrique in the box. A minute before halftime, former Manchester United left-back Alex Telles doubled their lead from the penalty spot.
Junior Santos, a replacement, scored a close-range goal in the seventh minute of extra time to seal their historic victory.
Atletico struggled even though they had the extra man for nearly the whole game.
Two minutes into the second half. Eduardo Vargas headed in Hulk’s corner with his first touch after entering the game off the bench. Thereby cutting the deficit in half.
The 38-year-old former Brazil international Hulk blasted a signature left-footed effort that Victor palmed away as the Belo Horizonte team sought for an equaliser against a weary-looking Botafogo.
The Botafogo defenders retreated farther and farther as the game went on in an attempt to withstand the tremendous pressure from the Atletico onslaught.
However, Vargas was only able to whisk his late effort over from five yards out, missing a great chance to equalise.
when recording their names in the club’s history, the Botafogo players collapsed to the ground at the sound of the final whistle when replacement forward Santos scored the third goal after a flurry in the area.