Atlético-MG matches historic Copa Sudamericana semifinal leg record
Atlético-MG equaled the most lopsided first-leg scorelines in the history of the Copa Sudamericana by defeating Montevideo City Torque 3 to 0 on Wednesday (14), at the Arena MRV in Belo Horizonte. Internacional in 2008, Ponte Preta in 2013, Athlético-PR in 2018, Bragantino in 2021 and Atlético-GO in 2022 won by a two-goal margin in their respective first legs. A marca histórica alcançada pelo Galo empata com as maiores goleadas já registradas na partida de ida de uma semifinal na Copa Sul-Americana.
ENTRE LOS 4 MEJORES DE LA COPA. HISTORIA. 🥚🇺🇾 pic.twitter.com/rQ4AFoA1y7
Apenas duas equipes equatorianas — Independiente del Valle e LDU — haviam triunfado nos jogos de abertura desta fase com uma vantagem de três gols. In 2022, the Del Valle team defeated Melgar by 3 to 0. Thiago Borbas scored the third and final goal of the matchup.
First-half breakthroughs at Arena MRV
The Brazilian side entered the fixture having rested key starters in a 2 to 1 victory over Santos on Saturday (10). Playing before 38,020 spectators, the hosts pressed from the opening whistle and saw two early goals disallowed for offside: Renan Lodi found the net in the 14th minute following a cross from Cuello, and Lyanco had a header waved off in the 22nd minute.
Montevideo City Torque nearly struck first when goalkeeper Gabriel Delfim made a crucial save on a header from Salomón in the 33rd minute. Just three minutes later, Reinier broke the deadlock in the 36th minute after Cuello dribbled down the right flank and fed Vitor Hugo, who slipped a pass to Reinier for an open-goal finish. Bernard doubled the lead in the 42nd minute by stealing the ball in defensive territory, exchanging passes with Reinier, driving down the left side, and cutting inside to beat goalkeeper Torgnascioli with a cross-shot.
Thiago Borbas seals the scoreline
The second half featured fewer scoring chances as Atlético-MG controlled possession and managed the tempo. Goalkeeper Torgnascioli denied subsequent attempts from Kevin Castaño, Reinier, and Igor Gomes. At 34 minutes of the second half, Renan Lodi delivered a low cross from the left wing, allowing Thiago Borbas to strike hard into the right corner and complete the 3 to 0 scoreline.
Following the match, Bernard emphasized the need for caution despite the comfortable cushion. “Eu acredito que a palavra agora é pé no chão, humildade. A gente sabe que é um placar dos sonhos pra gente jogando o primeiro jogo na nossa casa. Mas a gente que está há muito tempo no futebol sabe que nada é impossível,” Bernard told ESPN. Thiago Borbas added that the squad must maintain focus for the return fixture. The 24-year-old forward celebrated overcoming his recent challenges, scoring goals after being sidelined by injuries, and remarked that the team is performing well in the Campeonato Brasileiro compared to the past two difficult years.
Return leg and tournament implications
With the 3 to 0 advantage, Atlético-MG can afford to lose by up to two goals in the return leg and still advance to the final. The second leg is scheduled for Wednesday (21), at 19h, in Montevideo. In the other semifinal bracket, Vasco holds a lead over Boca Juniors following a victory on Tuesday, leaving open the possibility of an all-Brazilian final mirroring the title match between Athletico-PR and Red Bull Bragantino. On Tuesday (13), Vasco defeated Boca Juniors in Buenos Aires at La Bombonera by 1 to 0 and will play for a draw in the return fixture next Tuesday (20) at the Maracanã. The single-match final is scheduled for November 21 in Barranquilla, Colombia. Despite holding a 3 to 0 lead, Atlético is expected to rest its starters once again for the upcoming Brazilian championship match at home against Coritiba on Saturday (17) at 18h30.
