Copa Sudamericana Final: Lanús and Atlético Mineiro End Scoreless at Halftime

ASUNCIÓN, Paraguay — The 2025 Copa Sudamericana final reached halftime with a scoreless draw between Lanús and Atlético Mineiro on Saturday. The match, played at Defensores del Chaco, saw thousands of fans fill the stands with granate and black colors.

Both teams struggled to score during an intense first half, keeping the tension high for the second half. Lanús, aiming for their second continental title after 2013, focused on patient play and wide attacks. Conversely, Atlético Mineiro pressed high and looked for quick transitions to utilize their offensive strength.

The defenses from both sides held strong, minimizing scoring opportunities. Lanús’s strategy included key players like Carlos Izquierdoz and Eduardo Salvio, while Atlético relied on the leadership of Hulk. Despite several good attempts, the score remained 0-0.

Pre-match arrangements faced challenges when about 40 buses of Lanús fans were delayed at the Argentina-Paraguay border, affecting their timely arrival. Jorge Kronawetter, Paraguay’s National Director of Migration, reported that by midday only 20 of the 60 buses had crossed into Paraguay.

In contrast, fans from Atlético Mineiro faced no such issues, with 66 buses arriving earlier via the Friendship Bridge. Asunción buzzed with the energy of arriving fans, leading to the deployment of 6,000 police officers for security and a Fan Zone offering entertainment.

As the second half approaches, both Lanús and Atlético Mineiro have everything to play for in this final, where emotions run high and every minute counts.