Football
Associated Press 6y

Chapecoense clinch Copa Libertadores spot year after fatal crash

SAO PAULO -- Brazil's Chapecoense have secured a spot in the next edition of the Copa Libertadores tournament one year after a plane crash killed 19 of their players.

The southern Brazilian side beat Coritiba 2-1 on Sunday with a last-minute winner.

As a result, Chapecoense finished eighth in the league and qualified for South America's most prestigious soccer club tournament in 2018.

Midfielder Elicarlos equalised for Chapecoense and striker Tulio de Melo scored the winner five minute into second-half stoppage time.

Players celebrated in tears at the Arena Conda, where on Wednesday a vigil and a memorial ceremony were held for the 71 victims of the crash in November last year.

Defender Alan Ruschel, one of the survivors of the tragedy, did not play in the match but called Chapecoense's qualification "amazing."

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