Late penalty save keeps Atletico Mineiro cup dream alive

Atletico Mineiro goalkeeper Victor pulled off a stunning added-time penalty save to send the Libertadores Cup favourites into the semi-finals on the away goals rule after Tijuana had threatened to pull off a upset victory on Thursday.

Ronaldinho’s team were 1-1 in the second leg and 3-3 on aggregate against their Mexican rivals when Tijuana midfielder Pablo Aguilar was brought down chasing a high ball into the penalty area two minutes into added time in Belo Horizonte.

Victor dived to his right as Colombian Duvier Riascos blasted his spot kick down the middle but the goalkeeper stuck up his left foot and kicked the ball clear, saving the Brazilian side from a humiliating home defeat.

“It was the most important save of my life, at a crucial moment,” Victor told reporters. “We didn’t play well today... so we must draw lessons from the game to seek the title we so desire.”

The favourites never had it easy in the tie against the upstart tournament newcomers from the northwestern Mexican border town and ended up going through on the strength of their added-time equaliser in the 2-2 draw in last week’s first leg.

The Mexican side went in front in the 25th minute at the Independencia when striker Riascos volleyed home defender Juan Carlos Nunez’s cross into the middle of the Atletico box.

The home side equalised five minutes before halftime when the Tijuana defence failed to intercept Ronaldinho’s free kick from the right, leaving centre back Rever to tap in at the far post.