Lanus tasted glory again. The Argentine team was crowned champion of the Copa Sudamericana for the second time in its history after beating Atletico Mineiro of Brazil 5-4 on penalties, in a tense and hard-fought final at the Defensores del Chaco stadium in Asuncion. The match had ended 0-0 after 120 minutes. Get 20% off UEFA Champions League broadcasts in Spanish on DAZN. In a match marked by caution and few chances, the unexpected hero was goalkeeper Nahuel Losada, responsible for stopping three shots in the decisive penalty shootout. His performance allowed Mauricio Pellegrino's team to close out a tournament in which they stood out for their defensive solidity and consistency. Furthermore, the title represented a milestone for Pellegrino, who won his first trophy as a manager. Lanus, who had already lifted the Copa Sudamericana in 2013, also managed to put behind them three lost international finals: the 2014 Recopa Sudamericana, the 2017 Copa Libertadores, and the 2020 Copa Sudamericana. A tactical match, a frantic extra time, and a penalty shootout. The match began at a slow pace, with both teams trying to build from the back. Lanus looked to break lines, especially down the right flank with Eduardo Salvio, while Mineiro gradually took the initiative, although without creating any real danger during the first half. The first clear chance didn't arrive until the 26th minute: a free kick from Bernard that beat Losada but hit the post. After that, the match became bogged down, full of fouls and arguments. Even so, Chilean referee Piero Maza didn't show any yellow cards in the entire first half. The second half was different. Mineiro forward pushed, looking to attack with long-range shots and constant crosses for Hulk, but they repeatedly ran into the Lanus defensive duo of Canale and Izquierdoz. Lanus relied on counter-attacks, but couldn't find the precision to connect with Rodrigo Astudillo. The final minutes were tense and full of interruptions, including the injury to Ecuadorian Alan Franco, who couldn't finish the match. With the score still 0-0, the final went into extra time. There, the Brazilians regained control with the introduction of Gustavo Scarpa,Caio Paulista, and Biel. The closing stages became the most intense of the match: end-to-end action, chances at both ends, and the feeling that a goal could come from either side. But it didn't. In the penalty shootout, everything changed. Losada shone with three saves, and Lanus closed out the series 5-4, fulfilling their continental dream. After the victory, Pellegrino highlighted the team's growth: he said they "improved as the tournament progressed" and celebrated having prevailed against "a great opponent." He also noted that Lanus "struggled to create chances," and that the final was decided by "minor details." Regarding their rival, he added that Mineiro represented “a great adversary” and emphasized the economic and footballing power of Brazilian clubs. The coach especially praised his goalkeeper's performance: he stated that Losada was key during the match and in the penalty shootout. He also thanked the fans and assured them: “We felt your energy.”