Brazil’s Atletico Mineiro drew 0-0 at Argentina’s River Plate on Tuesday and reached the final of the Copa Libertadores for the second time.
The team of veteran striker Hulk had beaten their rivals 3-0 in the first leg of the semi-final.
The festive atmosphere at the full Estadio Monumental with more than 80,000 fans did not affect the Brazilian side, who had some of the clearest chances to score.
Photo: AFP
Atletico’s rival in the decider was to be decided yesterday. Brazilian side Botafogo were to play at Uruguay’s Penarol after winning the first leg 5-0.
Brazilian teams have won the tournament for the past five years.
The final is to be played on Nov. 30 at the same Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.
Photo: EPA-EFE
Atletico’s win also affected the race to be the last South American qualifier for next year’s FIFA Club World Cup, as it eliminated Olimpia of Paraguay from contention.
Olimpia would have advanced to the 32-team tournament in the US had River Plate won this Copa Libertadores edition. River Plate already qualified based on their consistent results in the continental competition across four seasons.
FIFA is to make the draw for the June 15 to July 13 tournament on a date in early December it has not yet confirmed.
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