Atletico ciol grab Libertadores semis spot

Medellin, May 20: Colombia’s Atletico ciol recovered from a 0-2 deficit to clinch a Copa Libertadores semi-fil berth with a dramatic 3-2 aggregate victory over Rosario Central. Having lost last week’s first leg in Argenti 1-0, Atletico went further behind at their Atasio Girardot stadium when Marco Ruben converted from the pelty spot after a Jothan Copete handball here on Thursday, reports Xinhua.

Macnelly Torres pulled a goal back for the hosts on the stroke of halftime before Alejandro Guerra added another five minutes after the restart.

Although tied 2-2 on aggregate, Rosario Central held the advantage due to their away goal. The visitors looked like they would secure a famous victory but the tide changed in the first minute of injury time when Esteban Burgos was dismissed for a rash challenge that drew a second yellow card.

Orlando Berrio then sparked delirious scenes among the home fans by handing Atletico the lead with a 95th-minute strike. As tempers frayed, Rosario were reduced to eight men following red cards to Damian Musto and Giovani Lo Celso.

Berrio was also sent off before Uruguayan referee Daniel Fedorczuk filly blew the full-time whistle after 11 minutes of stoppage time. Atletico ciol are aiming to win Latin America’s top club competition for a second time, 27 years after their first triumph. IANS