Deyverson bagged two goals as Atlético Mineiro took an impressive first-leg advantage in the Copa Libertadores semifinal tie with River Plate.
Scorers: Deyverson 22′, 70′, Paulinho 74′
With a raucous crowd behind them, Atlético Mineiro took control of the opening 30 minutes of the semifinal clash, and they were rewarded for their efforts when Deyverson picked up his third goal Copa Libertadores goal to open the scoring.
River looked to find a way back into the first-leg, but struggled to carve out any meaningful scoring chances. After more than an hour played the Argentine giants had managed just one shot on target.
And just when the visitors were looking like they could find their footing in the tie and even snatch an equaliser on the night, Atlético Mineiro went the other way and doubled their lead thanks to Deyverson’s second.
The tie was nearly put to bed just four minutes later when Paulinho fired home the third of the night as River crumbled in a matter of minutes.
But with the tie swapping over to the Monumental, you wouldn’t be shocked to see Los Millonarios find a miraculous way back into the affair.
