Botafogo claims maiden Copa Libertadores title
Ten-man Botafogo made history as it won the Copa Libertadores for the first time with a 3-1 victory over Atletico Mineiro in Buenos Aires.
The Brazilian Serie A leader had to do things the hard way after a second-minute red card but stood its ground to hold off Atletico's attempts at a comeback.
There were just 29 seconds on the clock when Gregore caught Fausto Vera on the head with a high boot, with the red card brandished after 65 seconds.
Atletico failed to take its chances despite the numerical advantage and soon found itself on the back foot as Luiz Henrique fired in the rebound of Thiago Almada's blocked shot.
Luiz Henrique then won a penalty nine minutes later when the goalkeeper wiped him out, and Alex Telles confidently dispatched from 12 yards.
Eduardo Vargas pulled one back just two minutes into the second half, rising to nod in Hulk's corner, but despite its dominance, Mineiro could not find a second goal.
It flooded bodies forward in search of an equaliser late on but was caught out at the other end in the final minute of stoppage-time, as Junior Santos slotted in from close range to secure the trophy.
It was the fourth all-Brazilian final in the Copa Libertadores in the past five years, and it did not disappoint, with dramatic twists and turns from the first minute to the last.
While it was already guaranteed that a side from Brazil would lift the trophy for a sixth consecutive year, something never done before, Botafogo has etched its name into history with the win.
Another name that went into the history books was Gregore, who received the fastest red card in a final in the competition's history, surpassing Ruben Sune and Roberto Paredes, both two minutes.
Junior Santos finished as top scorer in the competition with 10 goals, but his last-minute strike here was his first in the competition since the group stage.
