Atlético-MG beat Santos on penalties, into Sula semi-finals | OneFootball

Atlético-MG has qualified for the semifinal of the Copa Sudamericana. The team managed by Eduardo Dominguez beat Santos 4-2 this Wednesday, the 16th, at Arena MRV, in Belo Horizonte, in regular time.

Reinier scored twice, while Bernard and Tomás Cuello added the other goals for Atlético. For Santos, Gabigol scored and Lyanco put one into his own net.  Galo then came out on top in the penalty shootout after a 4-4 aggregate draw.

Peixe had won the first meeting 2-0 and even went ahead again during the second leg. In the shootout, goalkeeper Gabriel Delfim saved attempts from Gabigol, João Schimidt, and Arthur Melo. Thiago Borbas converted the penalty that sealed qualification.

Atlético-MG dominates the first half

Atlético-MG needed just 17 seconds to open the scoring. Fred found Bernard, who finished to put the home side in front and increase the pressure on Santos. The team from Minas Gerais kept control of the match and extended the lead through Reinier, again after a pass from Fred.

The result leveled the tie on aggregate and put Atlético-MG in position to qualify. Santos, however, found a goal from a set piece. After a cross into the box, Lyanco Vojvonic turned it into his own net.

Even with the aggregate score temporarily level, Atlético-MG did not let up. Reinier appeared again and scored the third, taking advantage of a long ball from Renan Lodi. With a 3-1 lead, the Minas Gerais side went into halftime in position to advance.

Santos reacts, but Atlético-MG finds the equalizer

Santos came back better in the second half and began to threaten the goal defended by Delfim more often. Gabigol had two chances in the opening minutes, while Gabriel Bontempo also took part in a move that ended with the ball hitting the post.

Santos’ comeback gained momentum in the 27th minute. Arthur found Gabigol, who controlled the ball and struck a low outside-of-the-foot shot. Lyanco Vojvonic still tried to clear it, but could not prevent the goal. The 3-2 score put Santos back ahead on aggregate and raised the tension at Arena MRV.

Atlético-MG needed one more goal to take the tie to penalties. Atlético’s pressure increased in the closing minutes. In the 46th minute of the second half, Tomás Cuello scored after a cross from Igor Gomes.

The Argentine scored Atlético-MG’s fourth goal and left the aggregate score tied at 4-4. With no time for another response, qualification was decided on penalties. After a match marked by constant shifts in momentum, Santos and Atlético-MG went to the decisive spot kicks.

In the shootout, Santos came out on top and confirmed its place in the Copa Sudamericana semifinal. Cuca’s team, which had built a two-goal advantage in the first leg, had to overcome Atlético-MG’s comeback and the pressure of Arena MRV to stay alive in the competition.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.