“Mineirazzo”: Estudiantes Lifts Libertadores in Brazil

Bruno Romani | Jul 16, 2009 | Comments 0

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The 50th edition of Copa Libertadores had its final match tonight at the Mineirao, in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. After the nil draw in Argentina, it seemed Cruzeiro, the home team, was ready to lift the third title in the competition, the first since 1997.

However, a “Mineirazzo” took place and one more time Brazilian clubs failed at home. Estudiantes de La Plata won its first title since the 68/69/70 titles.

The match started nervous. Estudiantes liked to keep ball possession, exchanging many passes. Cruzeiro tried to explore the left side of its attacking field through Wagner and Gerson Magrao. In the counter attacks, Estudiantes looked dangerous. But, in the collective imaginary of Cruzeiro fans, the victory was a matter of time. In the group stage, these two clubs played at this same stadium and Cruzeiro crushed the visitors 3-0.

As time passed by, however, reality landed on the stadium. Cruzeiro did not create the chances. And the match looked extremely good for Estudiantes. They wasted time in every possible way and kept the attack of Cruzeiro innocuous. The 3 pillars from the blue team – Wagner, Ramires and Kleberg – had no space.

When the second-half started, destiny seemed to make a turn. Cruzeiro started more aggressive and with 6 minutes midfielder Henrique scored after trying a long range that deflected on Desabato. After the goal, the second goal seemed close. Too early for anything.

Instead of keeping the pace, Cruzeiro relaxed and laid back. Estudiantes relaxed too. It kept playing its game and five minutes later Fernandes tied the game after finishing a play started by Veron. Cruzeiro collapsed. Estudiantes really relaxed. And kept fighting.

Ramires, on his last match before joining Benfica, played his worst match for Cruzeiro. His passes were poorly executed. And he did not attempt any of those runs with the ball in the right side.

Wagner, also very shy in the second half, was replaced by Athirson, who expected to play with Gerson Magrao in the left.

On the 27th mark, the 3 thousand Argentineans at Mineirao got even louder. Boselli, the top scorer of Copa Libertadores, scored his 8th using his head after Veron took the corner. Cruzeiro’s world collapsed – too many historical marks were against the home team. “The Mineirazzo” was taking place.

The last time a Brazilian club lifted Copa Libertadores beating a foreign rival was in 1999. Since then, Brazilian clubs reached the final 8 times – two of them had 2 Brazilian clubs. The other 6, Brazil lost (Palmeiras 00, Sao Caetano 02, Santos 03, Gremio 07, Fluminense 08). All defeats were in Brazil.

Also, in 07 and 08, Gremio and Fluminense eliminated Sao Paulo of the tournament. This year Cruzeiro did the same. What a spell.

Thiago Ribeiro replaced Wellington Paulista. Cruzeiro passively lost at home. The fans started to demand more passion from the team. And Cruzeiro seemed to respond. In the final 5 minutes, Cruzeiro missed 3 chances. The one that probably won’t be forgotten is when Thiago Ribeiro hit the cross bar with powerful long range.

Conducted by Veron, Estudiantes controlled the time. The clock seemed faster as they did not Cruzeiro be faster. And Veron was making history himself by lifting the title of Libertadores for the same club as his father did in the late 60’s. A beautiful family story.

When the match ended, Cruzeiro did not even look sad. They were frustrated. The club did not play well the most important match of the year. But Estudiantes was ready for this title. A club that reaches the finals of Copa Sulamericana and Copa Libertadores in a matter of 6 months is ready for the title.

And, indeed, Brazilian clubs cannot face the ones from Argentina in the final. Argentina, now, reaches 22 titles of Copa Libertadores against 13 of Brazil. The last time a Brazilian club beat an Argentinean one in the final of the continental tournament was in 1992, when Sao Paulo beat Newell’s Old Boys.