Atletico Mineiro 1-1 Palmeiras (1-1 agg): Copa Libertadores champions reach final on away goals

Copa Libertadores champions Palmeiras have the chance to claim back-to-back titles after edging Brazilian rivals Atletico Mineiro in the semi-finals.

Palmeiras advanced to the 2021 showpiece 1-1 on away goals following Tuesday’s 1-1 draw away to Mineiro in Belo Horizonte.

After a scoreless first-leg draw, Palmeiras’ Dudu struck in the 68th minute, cancelling out Eduardo Vargas’ 52nd-minute opener.

Palmeiras will be the fourth consecutive team to play in two successive Libertadores finals since 2000, after Boca Juniors (2000 and 2001, 2003 and 2004), Sao Paulo (2005 and 2006) and River Plate (2018 and 2019) as they await either Flamengo or Barcelona in the decider.

 The full time whistle! Another trip to the Final for @Palmeiras manager Abel Ferreira and he celebrated it in style! pic.twitter.com/5BqyOxqx3s

— CONMEBOL Libertadores (@TheLibertadores) September 29, 2021

In all six previous Libertadores semi-final ties since 1989 that the first leg ended in a goalless draw, the team who played the return leg at home had progressed to the final.

Mineiro looked on track to continue that streak when Chile international Vargas put the home side ahead with his third goal of the Libertadores campaign.

But some poor defending allowed Palmeiras back into the contest, Gabriel Veron dispossessing his opponent before squaring the ball to Dudu for a tap-in on the line.

It was Dudu’s seventh goal for Palmeiras in the Libertadores, with the two-time South American champions – unbeaten in 15 away games in the competition, the longest undefeated run on the road in history, having won all seven games in which he has scored.