Bernard and Ronaldinho's Athletico Mineiro win the Copa Libertadores in Grand Style

Atletico Mineiro have won the Brazilian championship once and their state championship 42 times, but the Copa Libertadores has eluded them until Yesterday. They entered the second leg of the Copa Libertadores final trailing, 2-0, to three-time champions Olimpia and found a way to overturn that deficit, scoring twice in the second half to force extra time and eventually penalties. They never missed from the spot, prevailing, 4-2, in a shootout.

"When it's written, it's written, this was meant for us," said Altetico coach Cuca.

Encouraging news for Arsenal fans as Bernard who has been strongly linked with a move to the north London outfit proved a threat through out the match. Commentators have criticized Wenger for gunning for another 20 year old that's yet to prove himself at the highest level, but the little maestro cleared all doubts as he set up the equalizing goal with a stunning looping cross.

Trailing 2-0 from the first leg defeat in Asuncion last week, Atletico pulled a goal back through Jo in the 46th minute then levelled the aggregate score when  Leonardo Silva headed home three minutes from the end of normal time.

Olimpia's Julio Manzur was sent off in the 85th minute, leaving the Paraguayan side a man short for the whole of extra-time, but neither team could deliver another goal.

Olimpia went first in the penalty shootout and set the tone immediately with a poor miss. Herminio Miranda took a poor shot, directly down the middle, and Victor came up with a kick save. Every taker made their shot until Matias Gimenez struck the decisive spot kick off the post, sending the Atletico Mineiro fans into raptures.



Ronaldinho who was due to take the last spot kick joins an elite club of five other players to have won the UEFA Champions League and Copa Libertadores - former AC Milan trio Dida, Cafu and Roque Junior all secured the double, along with ex-Inter defender Walter Samuel and Juventus striker Carlos Tevez.

"It was the title I was missing. I came back to Brazil for this. Everyone said I was finished, let them talk now," said the Brazilian legend.

Atletico Mineiro are the ninth Brazilian club to win South America's continental championship, joining Corinthians, who won their first title last year.

It marked a fourth successive Brazilian victory in South America's elite club competition and put Atletico into the Club World Cup in December.