Galo stay unbeaten and advance in the Copa Sul-Americana

Atlético are through to the Copa Sudamericana quarterfinals. On an emotional night at Arena MRV, Galo drew 2-2 with Red Bull Bragantino this Wednesday (19) and secured qualification with a 3-2 aggregate score.

The result also extended Galo’s unbeaten run to 10 matches, as the team continues its excellent form this season. Qualification came with a goal in the final minutes, when Cuello once again proved decisive against Bragantino.

Advantage built away from home

The qualification began to take shape a week earlier in Bragança Paulista. In the first leg, Galo beat Bragantino 1-0, with a goal from Cuello, and took an important advantage back to Arena MRV for the decider.

The away win allowed Atlético to play for a draw in the second match. Even after falling behind twice, Galo showed the strength to fight back for a 2-2 draw and confirm qualification without the need for a penalty shootout.

The result earned away from home proved crucial to Atlético’s progress. And Cuello played a direct role in both matches: he scored the winning goal in the first leg and found the net again in the decisive match, securing the draw and the spot in the next round.

Bragantino take the lead

The first half was marked by pressure from the visitors. Everson came up big at different moments to stop Bragantino from opening the scoring, but the São Paulo side managed to strike in stoppage time.

In the 52nd minute, Lucas Barbosa crossed into the box and Eric Ramires got on the end of it to finish and put Bragantino ahead.

Galo went into halftime needing to respond to protect the advantage built in the first leg.

Maycon equalizes

Photo: Pedro Souza / Atlético

Atlético came out for the second half looking for the equalizer and got it after seven minutes.

After a corner from Bernard, Pitta flicked a header on and the ball fell to Maycon. Wearing the No. 8 shirt, he unleashed a fine strike from the edge of the box and found the corner to make it all square.

The goal restored Atlético’s advantage on aggregate.

Bragantino go back in front

The equalizer did nothing to reduce the intensity of the match. Bragantino kept pushing and managed to score again in the 35th minute.

After a corner kick, Lucas Barbosa glanced a header on and Eduardo Sasha finished it off to make it 2-1.

With that result, the tie was heading for a penalty shootout.

But Galo still had an answer.

Cuello decides it at the end

In the 47th minute, Cuello won the ball back in midfield, drove toward the box and fired a low shot across goal from the edge of the area. The ball found the corner of the net and sent Arena MRV into raptures.

The goal that sealed qualification.

Wearing the No. 28 shirt, Cuello reached seven goals this season, becoming the club’s outright top scorer in 2026.

After the final whistle, the players celebrated passionately with the fans as they left the pitch, marking another memorable night in the black-and-white shirt.

Everson seals the spot

Qualification also owed a lot to major saves from Everson. The goalkeeper was tested throughout the match and stood out especially in the closing minutes.

In the final play, Pitta got a touch in the six-yard box and Everson made a huge save to deny Bragantino a third goal and definitively secure Atlético’s qualification.

Quarterfinals

Atlético’s opponent in the quarterfinals will be decided in the tie between Santos and Macará (ECU). Santos won the first leg 2-1 and will decide the spot this Thursday (20) in Ecuador.

Next match

Galo return to action on Saturday (22) in the Brazilian Championship. Atlético will visit Internacional at 6:30 p.m. at Beira-Rio.

📋 Match details

ATLÉTICO 2-2 RED BULL BRAGANTINO

🏆 Copa Sudamericana – Round of 16 (second leg)

📍 Arena MRV – Belo Horizonte (MG)

👥 Attendance: 30,026 fans

💰 Gate: R$ 1,534,583.02

⚽ Atlético goals: Maycon, 7′ 2nd half; Cuello, 47′ 2nd half.

⚽ Bragantino goals: Eric Ramires, 52′ 1st half; Eduardo Sasha, 35′ 2nd half.

📋 Atlético: Everson; Natanael, Ruan Tressoldi, Vitor Hugo (Vitão) and Renan Lodi; Alan Franco (Cissé), Maycon; Victor Hugo, Bernard (Alan Minda), Cuello and Reinier (Cassierra). Head coach: Eduardo Domínguez.

📋 Red Bull Bragantino: Cleiton; Agustín Sant’Anna, Gustavo Marques, Pedro Henrique and Juninho Capixaba; Eric Ramires (Alix Vinicius), Rodriguinho (Fabinho), Lucas Barbosa; Herrera (Sasha), Vinicinho (Henry Mosquera) and Isidro Pitta. Head coach: Vagner Mancini.

🟨 Yellow cards: Cuello (Atlético); Eric Ramires and Alix Vinicius (Bragantino).

📊 Aggregate score: Atlético 3-2 Red Bull Bragantino.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

Advertisement