Defending Champions Atlético Mineiro Suffer First Defeat of the Season at Hands of Local Rivals

Atlético Mineiro have finally lost in the 2022 edition of Brazil Serie A – and the defeat has come at the hands of their bitter rivals América MG.

A late goal from Raúl Cáceres proved to be the difference between the sides in a fiercely contested game which saw seven yellow cards and the dismissal of Felipe Azevedo for two bookable offences.

Iago Maidana had given the underdogs an early lead from the penalty spot, and while Atlético dominated possession and created the best of the chances, they couldn’t find their way past a stout América defence in the first period.

The hosts thought they had equalised on the stroke of halftime. However, Ademir Junior’s ‘goal’ was ruled out for offside, and they would have to wait until the 70th minute to draw level courtesy of Ignacio Fernández’s strike.

As the game threatened to fizzle out into a stalemate, Cáceres stepped up with a fine effort in the 81st minute to condemn Atlético to their first loss of the campaign.