Alex Santana, who took advantage of an assist from young Vitor Roque in the 22nd minute, gave 'Furacão' the victory and ended Palmeiras' run of 20 games without losing as a visitor in the Libertadores, a competition record, and the continental unbeaten run this season. after 13 games.
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With the result, Palmeiras are forced to win at home next Tuesday if they want to play in the third consecutive final of the tournament, while a draw is enough for Athletico to return to play in a Libertadores final, something they only did in 2005, when they lost to São Paulo.
Pushed by the fans, the home team's players woke up as the minutes passed and began to approach Weverton's goal.
Gustavo Gómez, in the 14th minute, almost scored an own goal after clearing a cross from the left by Hugo Moura, but Weverton, very attentive, managed to avoid the goal.
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Without midfielder Gustavo Scarpa, their best player this year, nor young Danilo, Palmeiras' midfield was badly disfigured, something that the Athletico midfielders, less technical and more solid, knew how to take advantage of to impose themselves.
In the 22nd minute, Khellven crossed from the right, Murilo headed it off and the ball fell to young Vitor Roque, who dominated and provided an assist for Alex Santana, who only needed to push the ball into the back of the net to score his first goal with the Hurricane shirt.
The goal encouraged the team from Paraná, who went in search of the second while Palmeiras tried to surprise with quick counterattacks.
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Verdão did not threaten again until the 42nd minute, when López headed a cross from the left by Rony that hit the post.
A few minutes later, the defending champion suffered another hard blow when Raphael Veiga, one of their main players, was injured and had to leave the field.
The balance ended in the 69th minute, when Hugo Moura received a second yellow card and was sent off. With one more player, Palmeiras went on the attack, although they were only able to destabilize with long-distance shots and set pieces, against a very well positioned defense.
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Minutes later, it was the Athletico-PR coach, Luiz Felipe Scolari, who also ended up being expelled due to his complaints.
Two shots from outside the area by Gabriel Menino that Bento saved and a backheel from Rony that the home team's goalkeeper saved were the best chances for Palmeiras, whose incessant pressure in the final minutes was not rewarded.
After qualifying for the semi-finals in a heroic penalty shootout at home against Atlético-MG, Alviverde now clings once again to the magic of the Allianz Arena to defeat next Tuesday the team from Paraná who, in the Brasileirão, already defeated Palmeiras in São Paulo 2-0.
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Whoever advances will compete in the grand final in Guayaquil against the winner of the other semifinal, between Argentine Vélez Sarfield and Flamengo.
(with AFP)
