Belo Horizonte carried Atlético Mineiro through a chaotic Copa Sudamericana night, as the hosts erased Santos’ two-goal first-leg advantage before goalkeeper Gabriel Delfim decided the quarter-final shootout.
Atlético Mineiro overturn Santos and reach Copa Sudamericana semi-finals
Eduardo Domínguez’s side won 4-2 at Arena MRV, levelling the Brazilian tie at 4-4 on aggregate. Mineiro then took the penalties 3-1, with Delfim saving three Santos attempts.
Quick facts
- Atlético Mineiro beat Santos 4-2 in Belo Horizonte.
- The quarter-final finished 4-4 over the two legs.
- Mineiro won the shootout 3-1.
- Gabriel Delfim stopped penalties from Gabigol, Schmidt and Arthur.
- Santos played without the injured Neymar.
- Mineiro will face either Montevideo City Torque or Cienciano in the semi-finals.
Carrying a 2-0 deficit into the return, Mineiro started at full speed. Bernard struck after only 17 seconds, setting the tone in a charged stadium, and Reinier Jesus soon brought the aggregate score level.
Fred created the opening for Reinier’s first goal, breaking free before delivering a low ball for the forward to finish into the top corner. Santos were briefly shaken but regained their aggregate lead through an unfortunate intervention from Lyanco.
Benjamín Rollheiser sent a free-kick into the home area in the 27th minute, and Lyanco turned it into his own net while attempting a clearance. The goal gave Santos breathing room amid sustained Atlético pressure.
Mineiro continued to force the play and Reinier restored their advantage before half-time, arriving unmarked inside the area to complete his double. Santos held on deep in their own half, looking for a counterattack rather than control.
The visitors found their moment in the 72nd minute when Gabriel “Gabigol” Barbosa scored, leaving the tie on a knife edge again. Tomás Cuello answered near the end, driving a shot inside the right-hand side of the goal to force the shootout.
Gabigol took Santos’ first penalty but sent a weak effort into Delfim’s hands. The Mineiro goalkeeper also denied Schmidt and Arthur, while Fred was the only home player to miss, his effort saved by Brazão.
Three Atlético Mineiro penalties found the net and that was enough to send the Belo Horizonte club into the last four. Their next opponent will emerge from Thursday’s meeting between Uruguay’s Montevideo City Torque and Peru’s Cienciano.
Mineiro are now chasing a second Copa Sudamericana final appearance after reaching last season’s showpiece, where Lanús beat them on penalties.
SEO title: Atlético Mineiro beat Santos on penalties to reach Copa Sudamericana semi-finals
SEO description: Atlético Mineiro recovered from a two-goal first-leg deficit against Santos, won 4-2 in Belo Horizonte and progressed 3-1 on penalties in the Copa Sudamericana.
