Santos take early lead over Atlético Mineiro in Copa Sul-Americana quarter-final first leg

Santos and Atlético Mineiro met on Wednesday, September 9, at the Vila Belmiro stadium in Santos for the first leg of their Copa Sul-Americana quarter-final. Kick-off was at 7pm Brasília time, and in the 30th minute of the first half Willian Arão put the hosts ahead, finishing first-time after a headed knock-down from Gabigol, according to LANCE!.

A historic meeting

This is the first time the two clubs have faced each other in a CONMEBOL competition; their last knockout meeting was in the 2019 Copa do Brasil, which Atlético won 2-1 on aggregate. The winner advances to the semi-finals, with the return leg to be played next week in Belo Horizonte; if the aggregate score is level, the tie will be decided on penalties.

What is at stake

The tournament matters greatly for both sides. Santos have been eliminated from the Copa do Brasil but remain in good domestic form, having moved further from the relegation zone — UOL reports a 3-2 away win over Internacional last Sunday, while CNN Brasil also mentions a win over Corinthians. The Sul-Americana is Santos' only remaining chance of a title this season and a route back into the Libertadores. Atlético Mineiro, meanwhile, suffered their first league defeat after a run of more than 100 days unbeaten, but are enjoying a strong run in cup competitions and are also in the Copa do Brasil semi-finals.

Road to the quarter-finals

Santos eliminated Ecuador's Macará in the round of 16 on aggregate (2-1 at home, 0-0 away). Atlético's path past Red Bull Bragantino is described differently across sources: CONMEBOL's official site says the Galo won 1-0 away and then drew 2-2 at home, while LANCE! reports a 2-1 win in the first leg and a 2-2 draw in the second.

Line-ups

Santos lined up without the injured Neymar (right thigh) and Barreal: Gabriel Brazão; Rodinei, Willian Arão, Luan Peres and Escobar; Christian Oliva, Gustavo Henrique, Gabriel Bontempo and Rollheiser; Gabigol and Thaciano, who was preferred to Caballero. Coach Cuca, who won the 2013 Libertadores with Atlético Mineiro, is now trying to eliminate his former club. Atlético started with Gabriel Delfim; Preciado, Lyanco, Vitor Hugo and Lodi; Castaño, Alan Franco, Maycon, Fred and Bernard; Cassierra up front, with suspended Cuello unavailable.

The match was broadcast on ESPN and Disney+, though CNN Brasil mentions only the Disney+ streaming service. The referee was Venezuela's Alexis Herrera; sources differ on the VAR official's nationality — ge and CONMEBOL's site list Carlo/Carlos Orbe as Ecuadorian, while LANCE! attributes him to Venezuela.