The 2024 Copa Libertadores has its semifinalists: River Plate, Atlético-MG, Botafogo, and Peñarol.
River Plate secured their spot at home against Colo-Colo. Atlético-MG defeated Fluminense at the Arena MRV after losing away. Botafogo knocked out São Paulo on penalties at Morumbi, and lastly, Peñarol withstood Flamengo’s pressure to secure a place in the semifinals.
Join us to relive the quarterfinal matches.
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Index
Libertadores Semifinalists
River Plate 1×0 Colo-Colo
The first leg in Chile ended in a 1-1 draw. In the second leg, River, backed by their massive crowd, won with an early goal in the first half.
At 16 minutes, Acuña delivered a free-kick into the box, the defense failed to clear it properly, Simón sent it back in, and Colidio was left unmarked to slot it home.
Throughout the first half, there were few dangerous chances.
At 19 minutes of the second half, Pavez tried a shot from outside the box, but it went wide.
At 36 minutes, Zavala played a one-two with Bolados, received inside the box, and shot straight at Armani.
At 50 minutes, in the final play of the game, Zavala crossed into the box, and Paiva’s weak header was easily saved by Armani, securing the qualification.
River Plate will face Atlético-MG in the semifinal on the following dates:
- First Leg: 22/10 (Tuesday) – 9:30 PM; Arena MRV, Belo Horizonte
- Second Leg: 29/10 (Tuesday) – 9:30 PM; Monumental de Núñez, Buenos Aires
Photo: EFE
Atlético-MG 2×0 Fluminense
Atlético-MG had lost the first leg 1-0 at Maracanã. In the return leg, they dominated throughout and secured their place with a brilliant performance from Deyverson.
Just 5 minutes in, Paulinho went to the byline and crossed to Arana, who controlled, attempted another cross, and the ball struck Jhon Arias’ arm. The referee pointed to the spot, Hulk stepped up but Fábio saved the penalty. Another decisive penalty miss for Hulk.
At 18 minutes, Lyanco played a great ball to Scarpa, who cut inside and shot dangerously.
At 20 minutes, Arana crossed, and Hulk hit the side netting.
At 37 minutes, Lyanco reached the byline and crossed. The ball fell to Arana, whose shot was deflected by Thiago Silva, preventing a goal.
Five minutes into the second half, Scarpa crossed, and Deyverson outjumped Thiago Silva to head into the back of the net.
At 8 minutes, Fluminense won the ball in attack, Kauã Elias passed to Bernal, who fired over.
At 10 minutes, Hulk found Deyverson in the box, who flicked it beautifully for Paulinho, but he shot over from close range.
At 13 minutes, Scarpa received the ball on the edge of the area, curled it towards the top corner, but Fábio made a great save.
At 40 minutes, Hulk put Paulinho through on goal, but his weak shot was easily gathered by Fábio.
Atlético-MG sealed their qualification with a 43rd-minute goal. Hulk crossed, the ball evaded almost everyone, but the ever-brilliant Deyverson was there to tap it in.
Atlético-MG will face River Plate in the semifinal on the following dates:
- First Leg: 22/10 (Tuesday) – 9:30 PM; Arena MRV, Belo Horizonte
- Second Leg: 29/10 (Tuesday) – 9:30 PM; Monumental de Núñez, Buenos Aires
Photo: Fernando Moreno/AGIF
São Paulo 1×1 Botafogo
In a match where Botafogo dominated the first half and São Paulo took control in the second, Botafogo prevailed on penalties, securing their place in the Libertadores semifinals for the first time since 1973.
Botafogo opened the scoring at 15 minutes. Luiz Gustavo was dispossessed by Savarino, who played a one-two with Igor Jesus before crossing into the box, where Rafael handled the ball, and Almada headed it into the net.
At 27 minutes, Botafogo won the ball in attack, and Igor Jesus curled a shot from outside the box, narrowly missing the target.
At 43 minutes, Wellington Rato’s corner was met by Lucas, whose header struck Bastos’ arm. The referee went to VAR and awarded a controversial penalty. Lucas hit the crossbar, and the ball went out.
In the second half, São Paulo came out with a different mindset.
At 11 minutes of the second half, Wellington Rato’s shot from the left was saved by John.
At 16 minutes, Calleri missed an unbelievable chance. Luciano’s cross found him less than a meter from the goal, but he sent it wide.
At 18 minutes, Lucas dribbled past Almada, entered the box, and fired a powerful shot, but John saved.
São Paulo equalized at 42 minutes. André Silva’s perfect cross found Calleri, who rose and headed into the corner, giving Tricolor fans hope.
The match went to penalties. Calleri hit the crossbar first. Then, Tchê Tchê, Luiz Gustavo, Danilo Barbosa, Lucas, Marçal, and Igor Vinícius all converted. Vitinho skied his shot, leveling the score.
Luciano and Almada scored their penalties, but John saved Rodrigo Nestor’s effort. Matheus Martins calmly slotted his penalty, sending Botafogo through.
Botafogo will face Peñarol in the Libertadores semifinal on the following dates:
- First Leg: 23/10 (Wednesday) – 9:30 PM; Nilton Santos, Rio de Janeiro
- Second Leg: 30/10 (Wednesday) – 9:30 PM; Campeón del Siglo, Montevideo
Photo: Marcello Zambrana/AGIF
Peñarol 0x0 Flamengo
Peñarol, who had won 1-0 at Maracanã, held off Flamengo’s pressure to secure their spot in the semifinal.
At 2 minutes, Gerson received the ball in the box, crossed, and Plata’s header was saved by Aguerre.
At 21 minutes, Leo Fernández’s long-range free-kick was pushed out for a corner by Rossi.
At 23 minutes, Arrascaeta sent a great ball to Bruno Henrique in the box. The forward controlled, and Gerson’s powerful shot was saved by Aguerre, but Bruno Henrique was flagged offside.
Two minutes into the second half, Léo Ortiz played a superb pass to Bruno Henrique, who reached the byline, crossed, and Aguerre cleared with his feet.
At 10 minutes, De La Cruz’s free-kick was poorly cleared, and Alex Sandro’s shot went wide.
At 16 minutes, Alex Sandro crossed, and Bruno Henrique’s header went just wide of the post.
At 24 minutes, Peñarol won the ball in attack, and García’s shot from distance flew close to the post.
Flamengo piled on the pressure, but it lacked effectiveness, and Peñarol advanced to the semifinal.
Peñarol will face Botafogo in the semifinal on the following dates:
- First Leg: 23/10 (Wednesday) – 9:30 PM; Nilton Santos, Rio de Janeiro
- Second Leg: 30/10 (Wednesday) – 9:30 PM; Campeón del Siglo, Montevideo
Photo: Eitan Abramovich / AFP / CP
Written by Henry Miller.
