Botafogo Defeats Peñarol 5-0 in Semifinal

In a remarkable performance, Brazil's Botafogo triumphed over Uruguay's Penarol with a resounding 5-0 victory in the first leg of the Copa Libertadores semifinal, bringing them closer to their first final. The scoring, which all occurred in the second half, was initiated by Venezuelan Jefferson Savarino and included contributions from Alexander Barboza, Luiz Henrique, and Igor Jesus. This match sets the stage for a potential all-Brazilian final, as Atletico Mineiro also secured a 3-0 victory against Argentina's River Plate in the other semifinal. The triumphs underscore the dominance of Brazilian teams in the tournament, which they have won for five consecutive years. However, the match was marred by violence, as over 250 Penarol fans were detained for vandalism and looting in Rio de Janeiro before the game. The second legs of the semifinals are scheduled for next week, with the final taking place on November 30.