Botafogo claim stunning Libertadores victory

Dramatic triumph over Atletico Mineiro in Buenos Aires means Artur Jorge’s side have qualified for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 and the FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2024.

• Botafogo had to play almost the entire match with 10 players

• Rio-based side have booked their place at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025

• Artur Jorge’s side will also compete in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2024

Luiz Henrique, Alex Telles and Junior Santos guided 10-player Botafogo to an astonishing CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores 2024 victory following a dramatic and action-packed 3-1 triumph over Atletico Mineiro at Estadio Monumental in Argentina.

Victory in the South American showpiece in Buenos Aires means that Artur Jorge’s side have become the 32nd and final team to qualify for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™, which takes place in the United States from 15 June to 13 July.

Botafogo are now also assured of a place at the FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2024™, where they will meet Pachuca in the FIFA Derby of the Americas at Stadium 974 in Qatar on 11 December. The winners of that match will face Al Ahly in the FIFA Challenger Cup, with Real Madrid then awaiting the victors.

The 2024 Libertadores final exploded into life in the very first minute as Botafogo’s Gregore caught Fausto Vera in the head with a high boot, with referee Facundo Tello brandishing an immediate red card and the Galo man only able to continue after several minutes of treatment.

Inevitably, Botafogo were initially pushed onto the back foot but defended resolutely, with goalkeeper John largely untroubled aside from a couple of long-range efforts from veteran forward Hulk which stung his palms.

And the 10 players then stunned Atletico Mineiro by taking the lead in the 35th minute as Luiz Henrique seized on a loose ball following a shot from the edge of the area by Marlon Freitas to drill a left-foot strike under Everson at his near post from the corner of the six-yard box.

That unexpected advantage was doubled soon after with Everson flattening Luiz Henrique as he chased the ball into the area, with a penalty awarded following a VAR review. Alex Telles stepped up and smashed home into the bottom corner, sending the keeper the wrong way.

Gabriel Milito made three changes at the interval, and one of his new faces made an immediate impact as Eduardo Vargas was inexplicably left unmarked near the penalty spot to head home Hulk’s corner from the left in the 47th minute.

Galo continued to press but could not find a way through Botafogo’s defensive ranks again, with O Glorioso sealing their first-ever Libertadores crown deep into added time through Junior Santos, earning the right to test themselves against the world’s leading teams at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.

“I’m speechless. So happy! Man, we’ve been saying every day that we were going to win a title. But we want more, and we also want to be Brazilian champions. And I’m sure we will be, because this group has fought so hard and suffered so much to get here.” Luiz Henrique, Botafogo forward

“What we achieved is so important. The truth is that it’s crazy. It’s very difficult after the red card at the beginning, but this team always fights. Today we saw that. This team loves to play football, we love to run for our team-mates.” Alexander Barboza, Botafogo defender

We ended up suffering with Gregore’s red card, so we tried to get stronger mentally. We knew we would suffer and that it would be hard, but now we are champions. This group deserves it a lot, we habe been through a lot this year. A lot of people talking, pointing, a lot of things from last year coming to light. We proved to everyone that we are champions. Now it’s time to enjoy this title. It’s Botafogo’s time.” John, Botafogo goalkeeper