Botafogo win Copa Lib. after 30-second red card

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

Fans 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 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 Éverson crashed into Luiz Henrique as he attempted to grab the ball and, after a VAR review, former Manchester United full-back 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.

The result also secured the Brazilian club a place in the expanded 2025 Club World Cup in the United States.

Botafogo’s success came after Novak Djokovic’s involvement in the ceremony before kick-off in Buenos Aires.

The tennis star was in Argentina to play an exhibition match on Sunday with former U.S. Open champion Juan Martín del Potro, who is retiring from the sport.

Djokovic, owner of a men’s record 24 Grand Slam titles, helped to carry the Copa trophy onto the pitch.

With two of its teams in the final, Brazilian football was assured of a sixth consecutive Copa Libertadores title and its 24th in history, just one less than clubs from Argentina have managed.

It was also the third straight title for teams from Rio de Janeiro, after Fluminense in 2023 and Flamengo in 2022.

Information from the Associated Press contributed to this report