体坛英语新闻：Atletico Mineiro clinch Copa Libertadores spot

RIO DE JANEIRO, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Atletico Mineiro secured a place in the 2019 Copa Libertadores pre-qualifying rounds with a 1-0 home victory over Botafogo in the final weekend of Brazil's Serie A championship on Saturday.

Ecuador international midfielder Juan Cazares struck the winner in the 18th minute with a low first-time finish after Emerson's cross from the right.

The result at the Independencia stadium in Belo Horizonte secured Atletico Mineiro sixth spot in the 20-team Serie A standings, the last of the Copa Libertadores pre-qualifying places. Meanwhile, Botafogo slipped to ninth.

Atletico won the Copa Libertadores - South America's top club competition - in 2013, inspired by former Brazil forwards Ronaldinho and Jo.

In Saturday's only other Brazilian Serie A match, second-placed Flamengo suffered a 2-1 home defeat to Atletico Paranaense.