A second-half header from Luiz Otavio gave tragedy-hit Chapecoense a 2-1 win over Colombia’s Atletico Nacional in the first leg of the Recopa Sudamericana final in the southern Brazilian city of Chapeco on Tuesday.
Earlier, Chapecoense’s Reinaldo scored from the penalty spot, before Colombia international midfielder Macnelly Torres equalized in front of a capacity crowd at Arena Conda.
The emotional clash took place just over four months after 19 Chapecoense players and all of the Brazilian club’s coaching staff died in a plane crash near the Colombian city of Medellin.
Seventy-one of the 77 passengers aboard the LaMia flight died in the accident, which occurred just days before Chapecoense and Atletico Nacional were due to play in the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana final in Medellin.
Chapecoense were later named winners of South America’s second most important tournament at the request of Atletico Nacional.The Recopa Sudamericana is played annually between the winners of the Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana.
The Recopa Sudamericana is played annually between the winners of the Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana.
Atletico Nacional won the Copa Libertadores – the local equivalent of the UEFA Champions League – last July by defeating Ecuador’s Independiente del Valle in the final.
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The Recopa Sudamericana decider return leg will be played in Medellin on May 10.
(With Inputs From Xinhua)