They edged out Tombense once again in Mineirão and the victory guaranteed the 45th state cup in their history. In the first leg, the Alvinegra team won the game via a 2-1 score line, with Keno grabbing the decisive goal in the latter stages of the game. This Sunday, also in extra time (but the first half), Jair scored the only goal of the game that secured the crown for Atlético. It meant a 3-1 aggregate victory altogether.
Atlético started the better of the two sides and dominated play from the onset.
They even got two chances to score from Alan Franco. At first, he almost scored via a header and in another chance he failed to combine brilliantly with Keno for the opener. The game continued with both sides pushing for the opener to no avail until the very end of the first half.
In the final minute of extra time in the first half, Sasha forced Felipe to make a good save via a shot. In the resulting corner kick, Guilherme Arana sent in a good delivery and Jair rose high to score a good header.
The second half continued with more of the same and the only negative note was the expulsion of defensive midfielder Allan for pushing the referee in the 90th minute.
For Jorge Sampaoli, it means he is champion for the first time in Brazil and he ends a 45-year run in which national football in Brazil did not see an Argentine win a trophy.
The victory also means Sampaoli has won a title with Atlético just after 12 games in charge of the club.
