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Brazil's Atletico Mineiro Draws at Argentina's River Plate, Reaches Copa Libertadores Final

Guilherme Arana (L) and Deyverson celebrate their victory in the Copa Libertadores semifinals second leg match between River Plate and Atletico Mineiro at the Mas Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, 29 October 2024. EPA/Juan Ignacio Roncoroni
Guilherme Arana (L) and Deyverson celebrate their victory in the Copa Libertadores semifinals second leg match between River Plate and Atletico Mineiro at the Mas Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, 29 October 2024. EPA/Juan Ignacio Roncoroni
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Brazil's Atletico Mineiro Draws at Argentina's River Plate, Reaches Copa Libertadores Final

Guilherme Arana (L) and Deyverson celebrate their victory in the Copa Libertadores semifinals second leg match between River Plate and Atletico Mineiro at the Mas Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, 29 October 2024. EPA/Juan Ignacio Roncoroni
Guilherme Arana (L) and Deyverson celebrate their victory in the Copa Libertadores semifinals second leg match between River Plate and Atletico Mineiro at the Mas Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, 29 October 2024. EPA/Juan Ignacio Roncoroni

Brazil’s Atletico Mineiro drew 0-0 at Argentina’s River Plate on Tuesday and reached the final of the Copa Libertadores for the second time.
The team of veteran striker Hulk had beaten its rivals 3-0 in the first leg of the semifinal.
The festive atmosphere at the full Monumental de Nunez Stadium with more than 80,000 fans did not affect the Brazilian side, which had some of the clearest chances to score.
Atletico's rival in the decider will be decided on Wednesday, and it is very likely to be fellow Brazilian side Botafogo. The Rio de Janeiro-based team will play at Uruguay's Penarol after winning the first leg 5-0.
Brazilian teams have won the tournament for the past five years.
The final will be played on Nov. 30 at the same Monumental de Nunez Stadium in Buenos Aires.

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Trio of Saudi Clubs Chasing Silverware in Asian Champions League Elite 

Football - Asian Champions League - Quarter Final - Yokohama F Marinos v Al-Nassr - Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City Stadium, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - April 26, 2025 Al-Nassr's Jhon Duran celebrates scoring their first goal with Cristiano Ronaldo and teammates. (Reuters)
Football - Asian Champions League - Quarter Final - Yokohama F Marinos v Al-Nassr - Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City Stadium, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - April 26, 2025 Al-Nassr's Jhon Duran celebrates scoring their first goal with Cristiano Ronaldo and teammates. (Reuters)
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Trio of Saudi Clubs Chasing Silverware in Asian Champions League Elite 

Football - Asian Champions League - Quarter Final - Yokohama F Marinos v Al-Nassr - Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City Stadium, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - April 26, 2025 Al-Nassr's Jhon Duran celebrates scoring their first goal with Cristiano Ronaldo and teammates. (Reuters)
Football - Asian Champions League - Quarter Final - Yokohama F Marinos v Al-Nassr - Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City Stadium, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - April 26, 2025 Al-Nassr's Jhon Duran celebrates scoring their first goal with Cristiano Ronaldo and teammates. (Reuters)

Saudi clubs including Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr are dominating the Asian Champions League Elite, accounting for all but one of the semifinalists in action this week.

In three quarterfinals played on the weekend, the three Saudi Pro League teams won with a combined scoreline of 14-1. At least one is guaranteed a place in the final on May 3 as four-time champion Al-Hilal meets two-time finalist Al-Ahli in the first of the two semis at Jeddah.

On Wednesday, Al-Nassr takes on Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale, the only non-Saudi club still in contention for the continental title. Kawasaki edged 2011 champion Al Sadd of Qatar 3-2 after extra time on Sunday to advance to the semifinals for the first time.

With all playoff games taking place in Jeddah, there is home advantage and big crowds supporting the three domestic clubs that are laden with high-profile international stars.

Al-Nassr thumped last season's runnerup Yokohama F.Marinos of Japan 4-1 on Saturday, with goals coming from Ronaldo, former Liverpool star Sadio Mane and two from Jhon Duran, who signed from Premier League club Aston Villa in January.

The journey to Jeddah was also a punishing one for teams in the middle of domestic seasons in East Asia.

“Our local league is our priority,” Buriram United coach Osmar Loss said after his Thai club lost 3-0 to Al-Ahli on Saturday. “It’s a long trip to Jeddah and back and I needed to protect our main players.”

In the most lopsided of the quarterfinals, South Korean club Gwangju FC, making its first appearance in the tournament, was thrashed 7-0 by Al-Hilal on Friday.

Al-Hilal now faces Jeddah club Al-Ahli on Tuesday in a bid to reach its 10th title match in the Asian competition. Al-Ahli, fourth in the domestic league, had a 3-2 win over Al-Hilal in February with all three goals scored by England striker Ivan Toney.

With other former Premier League stars such as Riyad Mahrez and Roberto Firmino on the scoresheet against Buriram United, coach Matthias Jaissle believes Al-Ahli is well placed to advance to a third final and then to capture a first title.

“I congratulated the players for making it to the semifinals but from now on, they have to focus on what’s best – rehabilitate, rest, and get back to the best physical level to perform against Al Hilal,” Jaissle said. “Everyone knows it’s going to be an intense match and we need to be in top shape.”