MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (AP) — Brazil’s Botafogo advanced to its first Copa Libertadores final on Wednesday despite a 3-1 loss at Uruguay's Penarol. The Rio de Janeiro side had won the first leg of its semifinal 5-0. Botafogo's rival in the Nov.
30 decider in Buenos Aires will be fellow Brazilian side Atletico Mineiro, which reached the final after a 0-0 draw at Argentina’s River Plate on Tuesday and after a 3-0 win in the first leg. Botafogo rested many of its starters because of the big advantage, including national team strikers Luiz Henrique and Igor Jesus. Jaime Báez scored Penarol's first two goals.
The first came from long distance in the 31st minute and the second in the 66th from the edge of the box. By then, the hosts were one man down due to an unusual red card. Goalkeeper Washington Aguerre was sent off during the break after intentionally stepping on the foot of Botafogo goalie John.
Botafogo lost a player in the 69th minute when Mateo Ponte received his second yellow only seconds after he got his first. World Cup champion Thiago Almada was brought in by Botafogo in the second half and scored for the visiting team from close range in the 88th minute. One minute later, also from close range, Penarol's Facundo Batista netted the third goal for the Uruguayan team.
Brazilian teams have won the tournament for the past five years. The final will be played at the Monumental de Nunez Stadium in Buenos Aires. Atletico’s win on Tuesday also affected the race to be th.
