Atlético-MG did not give Carabobo (Venezuela) a chance and won by 3-1, on the night of this Wednesday (1) at the Mineirão stadium, to guarantee qualification for the third preliminary phase of the Copa Libertadores, the last before the groups stage. Now the Rooster takes the winner of the confrontation between Millonarios (Colombia) and Universidad de Quito (Ecuador).
?? Rooster ranked for Phase 3!
⚫⚪ With goals from Hulk, Paulinho and Edenilson, the @Athletic won the @Carabobo_FC 3-1 at Mineirão, and advanced in CONMEBOL #Liberators.
? Will face the winner of the duel between #Millionaires It is #Catholic from Quito. pic.twitter.com/inKCvaHrdh
— CONMEBOL Libertadores (@LibertadoresBR) March 2, 2023
The place for the Minas Gerais team was guaranteed because in the first leg, last Wednesday (22) at the Olimpico de la UCV stadium, in Caracas, the final score was a goalless draw.
Pushed by their fans, Atlético-MG started the confrontation valuing possession of the ball and pressing Carabobo in their defense field. The pressure was such that Galo opened the scoring in the 16th minute of the first half, when Paulinho, with a header, found Hulk, who hit hard with a right to overcome goalkeeper Vachoux.
The dominance of the team commanded by coach Eduardo Coudet was such that the second did not take long to leave. At 18, Pedrinho stole the ball in the middle, played for Patrick on the left, who returned it to the number 38, who finished for a partial defense of the opposing goalkeeper. The ball was alive in the area and Paulinho did not forgive.
⚽✅ We have Paulinho’s goal at CONMEBOL #Liberators? We have. pic.twitter.com/NDqRqcNmum
— CONMEBOL Libertadores (@LibertadoresBR) March 2, 2023
With the advantage, Atlético-MG reduced its rotation and began to give space to Carabobo, who eventually reached the goal defended by Everson. And in one of these escapes, at 48, Pernía hit from outside the area and the Brazilian goalkeeper accepted for the Venezuelans to counter.
However, right at the beginning of the final stage, the team from Minas Gerais was in a more comfortable situation when Pernía hit Hulk with his elbow and ended up expelled from the match. With the numerical advantage, Galo took control of the confrontation and reached the third at 28. Paulinho played for Edenílson, who got rid of an opponent before hitting the bottom of the goal to give final numbers to the scoreboard.
