Defending champions Atletico Mineiro last night went out of the Copa Libertadores at the first knockout stage after a home draw enabled opponents and near namesakes Atletico Nacional of Colombia to progress by a single goal.
An attempt to overturn a 1-0 first leg deficit got off to a good start as Mineiro scored through attacking midfielder Fernandinho after 20 mintues, but Nacional grabbed their crucial away goal through Duque with little time left on the clock as the hosts pressed for an all-important winner.
Both sides mustered up three shots on target in the entire 90 minutes and it is Mineiro who must now concentrate on league matters, their next fixture coming on Sunday at their Estadio Raimundo Sampaio against Goias.
It is a blow to new head coach Levir Culpi, who assumed the reigns at the Belo Horizonte club only a short while ago.
