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- From eight games to continental hero: The night that changed Gabriel Delfim's story
From eight games to continental hero: The night that changed Gabriel Delfim's story
Until early September, Gabriel Delfim had made just eight appearances for Atlético Mineiro. At 24, he was still waiting behind Everson, the Galo's established starting goalkeeper. On Wednesday, in his first international knockout tie, Delfim saved three penalties against Santos and ended the night as the hero who sent last year's runners-up into the Copa Sudamericana Semifinals.
It had been a long road to that moment.
Delfim joined Atlético Mineiro's youth system in 2018 and waited six years for his professional debut. It finally came on November 6, 2024, in a 1-0 defeat against Atlético Goianiense.
He made one appearance that year, five in 2025 and only two in 2026 before an injury to Everson changed his story.
Three penalty saves complete an unforgettable comeback
The night against Santos demanded something special.
Mineiro had lost the first leg 2-0 at Vila Belmiro, but fought back at Arena MRV through Bernard, a Reinier brace and a stoppage-time Tomás Cuello goal. A Lyanco own goal and Gabigol's strike made it 4-2 on the night and 4-4 on aggregate.
Then Delfim took over.
Santos went first and Delfim immediately denied Gabigol. He then stopped Schmidt before producing his third save against Arthur Melo following Gabriel Bontempo's successful attempt.
Gabriel Brazão kept Santos alive by saving Fred's penalty, but Gustavo Scarpa, Igor Gomes and Thiago Borbas converted as Mineiro won the shootout 3-1.
Delfim joins select company in Mineiro history
His performance also produced a historic statistic.
According to Opta, Delfim became only the second Atlético Mineiro goalkeeper to save three penalties in a single Copa Sudamericana shootout, following Victor against Unión La Calera in 2019.
Everson, the goalkeeper Delfim is currently replacing, also saved three penalties in a shootout, doing so against Flamengo in the 2022 Brazilian Super Cup.
In one night, the young backup placed his name alongside two goalkeepers who have defined the position for the Galo over the past decade.
Everson's injury opened the door
Delfim's opportunity came out of necessity.
Everson suffered a left-foot injury in late August, prompting Eduardo Domínguez to turn to the homegrown goalkeeper. Delfim responded with a 2-1 Brasileirão victory over Vitória.
Days later, he explained how he had approached his long wait:
“When the opportunity comes, I have to be ready. Regardless of whether I play or not, I work every day in the best possible way.”
The opportunity ultimately arrived on one of the biggest nights of Mineiro's season.
The tie also carried personal significance.
Born in Simonésia, Minas Gerais, Delfim spent time in the Santo André and Portuguesa Santista youth systems before joining Atlético Mineiro in 2018.
After the first leg against Santos, he described the importance of returning to the area: “It's a place where I grew up, with my family close by.”
Mineiro lost 2-0, but Delfim made several second-half saves to prevent Santos from building an even bigger advantage. He also acknowledged that it was his “first opportunity to play a knockout tie in such an important competition.”
