Athletico breaks Palmeiras hegemony and returns to Libertadores decision

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This Tuesday (6), Athletico Paranense prevented Palmeiras from reaching their third straight final in the Copa Libertadores. At Allianz Parque, the visiting team went in search of a draw, by 2 to 2, after being losing by 2 to 0. On aggregate, it added 3 to 2, having won in the first leg, by 1 to 0.

Champion in 1999 and in the last two editions, 2020 and 2021, the Palmeiras team was looking for its fourth continental trophy. Athletico will once again have the chance to win the unprecedented title. In 2005, the team from Curitiba reached the decision, but ended up being overcome by São Paulo.

This time, it featured goals from Pablo and Terans to return to the final of the continental tournament. Gustavo Scarpa and Gustavo Gómez also scored in the match.

The final will take place on October 29 at the Monumental Isidro Romero Carbo stadium in Ecuador. And Flamengo should be the opponent of Felipão’s team. In the first game of the other semifinal, the Rio de Janeiro team beat Vélez 4-0.

The advantage built by the Paraná team in the first leg lasted only three minutes. After stealing the ball in midfield, the hosts relied on successive marking errors by Fernandinho and Pedro Henrique to open the scoring with Gustavo Scarpa, who entered the penalty area alone.

Palmeiras even controlled the game after that, but failed to convert their superiority on the field into more goals. Worse than wasting at least two clear chances, one of them with Bruno Tabata free in the penalty area, was losing a player before the break.

At 47, Murilo was expelled after a tough challenge with Vitor Roque. The palmeirense hit the rival’s thigh with the sole of the boot. Initially, the Uruguayan referee Esteban Ostojicj gave the defender a yellow card, but changed his marking after reviewing the bid in VAR (video referee).

In the final stage, even at a numerical disadvantage, Palmeiras managed to reach the second goal after just nine minutes, with Gustavo Gómez, with a header. At that point, the spot was in the hands of the home team.

The scenario would only change at 19, when Pablo discounted. With 2 to 1 at Allianz, the aggregate score was 2 to 2 and the definition of the vacancy dragged on to penalties. At 39, however, Terans tied the match and gave the place to the team from Paraná.

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