Brazil's Athletico beats Bragantino to win Copa Sudamericana
MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (AP) - Athletico won its second Copa Sudamericana after beating fellow Brazilian side Red Bull Bragantino 1-0 in the final on Saturday.
Striker Nikão scored in the 29th minute with a volley from short range, and Athletico held on to add to its first Copa title in 2018.
Victory also qualified Athletico for the next Copa Libertadores.
Two other Brazilian teams, Flamengo and Palmeiras, will meet in the Copa Libertadores final next Saturday, also in Montevideo.
Red Bull took over Sao Paulo countryside club Bragantino in 2020, and quickly lifted it into Brazil´s top division. Bragantino was renamed and had its traditional black and white colors changed to red and white.
Red Bull´s soccer strategy for its other teams, including Germany´s Leipzig, is also present at Bragantino. The club focuses on bringing through younger players who know how to keep ball possession.
Nikao of Brazil's Athletico Paranaense, right, celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during a Copa Sudamericana final soccer match against Brazil's Bragantino at Centenario stadium in Montevideo, Uruguay, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021.(AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
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Nico Hernandez of Brazil's Athletico Paranaense, right, and Aderlan of Brazil's Bragantino go for a header during a Copa Sudamericana final soccer match at Centenario stadium in Montevideo, Uruguay, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
