Soccer-10-man Botafogo beat Atletico Mineiro 3-1 to win first Copa Libertadores title

BUENOS AIRES - Botafogo beat Atletico Mineiro 3-1 to win their first Copa Libertadores title despite being reduced to 10 men after Gregore was sent off just 30 seconds into the contest at the Monumental Stadium on Saturday.

Fans decked in black-and-white jerseys, the colours of both teams, barely had a chance to settle into their seats when Gregore was handed his marching orders for a foul on Fausto Vera, who was left with a bleeding head after being on the receiving end of a flying kick.

Mineiro tried to make the most of their numerical advantage in the final, which featured two Brazilian teams for the fourth time in the last five years, and went on the attack with Hulk and Deyverson up front.

However, Botafogo opened the scoring in the 35th minute, when Thiago Almada put the ball right into Luiz Henrique's path to fire home into the net.

Botafogo were awarded a penalty seven minutes later when Everson crashed into Luiz Henrique as he attempted to grab the ball and, after a VAR review, Alex Telles converted the spot kick to make it 2-0.

Mineiro's hopes were restored immediately after the break when Eduardo Vargas headed home a corner from Hulk. They then went in search of an equaliser, with Deyverson and Vargas coming closest.

But Botafogo defended well and goalkeeper John kept Mineiro's efforts at bay as Junior Santos put the icing in the cake in added time in an enthralling encounter that gave coach Artur Jorge's side their first title in the South American competition.

After 24-times tennis Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic presented the trophy to the champions, a jubilant Almada said: "Today, with one less (man on the pitch), we played an intelligent game. A show of character for the team and I think we deserve this title."

Mineiro coach Gabriel Milito admitted his side failed to capitalise on their numerical advantage.

"We had such a favourable opportunity where we had an extra player throughout the match. It was a huge advantage. Clearly, we missed an unforgettable opportunity to win the Libertadores."

The result secured Botafogo a place at the expanded 2025 Club World Cup in the United States.

(Reporting by Angelica Medina in Mexico City, editing by Pritha Sarkar)