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Botafogo claimed their first-ever Copa Libertadores title with a 3-1 victory over Atlético Mineiro, despite playing with 10 men from the first minute. Luis Enrique shone with crucial goals, capping off a heroic performance in an epic triumph. The match was a historic moment for Botafogo, as they overcame immense adversity to secure the prestigious title in dramatic fashion at the Estadio Monumental.     A Red Card That Didn’t Define the Game The final started with drama before a full minute had passed. In an aerial challenge at midfield, Botafogo’s Gregore de Magalhães went for the ball with his leg raised at mid-height. Meanwhile, Mineiro’s Fausto Vera dove for a header, resulting in Gregore’s boot striking Vera’s face. The referee wasted no time in showing a red card. It was an unusual start to a final, and many expected the early dismissal to heavily influence the match. However, Botafogo defied expectations, taking control of the game and scoring the opener.     The Path to Their First Copa Libertadores Title Luis Enrique André Rosa da Silva stepped up to steady the ship for Botafogo. In the 35th minute, after a well-constructed passing sequence, a blocked shot fell perfectly for da Silva just outside the six-yard box. He struck with power, netting the opening goal. Luis Enrique was once again pivotal in the 42nd minute, drawing a penalty. In a contested ball near the penalty area, he managed to poke it away before Mineiro’s goalkeeper, who ended up colliding with him. Initially overlooked, the incident was reviewed via VAR, and the referee awarded the penalty. Alex Telles converted from the spot to make it 2-0.     A Nail-Biting Second Half Atlético Mineiro reignited their hopes early in the second half. In the 47th minute, Eduardo Vargas delivered a stunning header from a corner kick, sending the ball into the far corner to make it 2-1. Mineiro relentlessly pressured Botafogo for the remainder of the game. Playing with 10 men, Botafogo clung to their slim lead with determination and grit.     The Decisive Blow In the seventh minute of stoppage time, Botafogo sealed the victory in unforgettable fashion. A goal kick intended to clear the danger found Júnior Santos, who carried the ball into the corner, shielding it against two defenders. In a moment of brilliance, Santos evaded the double-mark, drove toward the box, and delivered a cross. A defensive miscue left the ball at Santos’ feet again, and he calmly slotted it into an open net to make it 3-1. The stadium erupted with cheers as Botafogo fans celebrated their well-earned Copa Libertadores triumph. Cover photo: X (@Libertadores)

What would have been a clash for the Premier League lead just a few matchdays ago now features Liverpool and Manchester City heading into the game under vastly different circumstances. The Reds are the undisputed leaders of England, while the Sky Blues have slipped to fifth place following the results of Matchday 13.     Liverpool Aims to Stay Unstoppable Under the guidance of Arne Slot, Liverpool is in impeccable form. In their most recent match, they convincingly defeated Real Madrid, remaining the only team in the UEFA Champions League to win all five of their group-stage games.     Domestically, it’s a similar story. After a commanding win over Southampton in their last league outing, Liverpool now sits alone atop the Premier League standings with 31 points. They hold a six-point lead over second-place Arsenal, who have already played one game more. You may be interested in: https://titansports.mx/after-five-matchdays-the-champions-league-standings-begin-to-take-shape/ Manchester City Seeks to Escape Their Slump On the other side, Manchester City is enduring their worst slump in years. In their last six matches across all competitions, they’ve managed just one point—a 3-3 draw against Feyenoord in the Champions League. In that game, they squandered a three-goal lead, walking away with a frustrating draw.     In the Premier League, the story is equally grim. Pep Guardiola’s side hasn’t earned a single point since October 26, when they defeated Southampton 1-0. Since then, they’ve suffered three consecutive losses, making this match a must-win. Despite their struggles, there’s a silver lining: a victory at Anfield would propel City to second place, with 26 points—one more than Arsenal. The highly anticipated clash is set to take place at Liverpool’s iconic Anfield stadium, kicking off at 10 a.m. Central Mexico time. Cover photo: X (@LFC)

Barcelona did not celebrate its 125th anniversary as they would have liked, as in the game where they commemorated this date, the Catalan team lost 1-2 against Las Palmas. The goals were scored by Sandro at 49′ and Fábio Silva at 67′ for the visitors, while Raphinha scored the blaugranas’ goal at 61′. This result put Barça’s lead in jeopardy, as, should Real Madrid win their match against Getafe, Los Merengues would be only one point behind Barcelona, with a game in hand. You may be interested in: https://titansports.mx/barcelona-defeats-real-madrid/ Cover photo: X (@FCBarcelona).  

The Cruz Azul team, led by Martín Anselmi, achieved an impressive comeback by defeating Xolos de Tijuana 3-0 at the Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes, tying the aggregate score 3-3 and advancing to the semifinals thanks to their position on the table. During the first half, Cruz Azul generated several goal-scoring opportunities, but it wasn’t until the 44th minute when Ignacio Rivero managed to open the scoring. In the second half, Ángel Sepúlveda assisted Giorgos Giakoumakis for the second goal, and shortly after, Sepúlveda himself scored the third to seal the match. Now, the “Celestes” will seek revenge against América in the semifinals, in a match that promises excitement after last season’s final.  Also of interest: Surprise in the playoffs! Atlético de San Luis thrashed Tigres and is closing in on the semifinals

América reached the Apertura 2024 semifinals by eliminating Toluca with a 4-0 aggregate score, keeping their dream of becoming the first three-time champions in Liga MX short tournament history alive. In the first half, the “Águilas” gave up possession to Toluca, but the home team failed to capitalize on their chances. In the second half, an own goal by Marcel Ruiz in the 49th minute and a strike by Henry Martín in the 62nd sealed América’s victory. With this result, América will face Cruz Azul in the semifinals, setting up a new edition of the “Clásico Joven.”  Also of interest: Rayados edged Pumas in the first leg of the Liga MX quarterfinals Foto de portada: X(@ClubAmerica)