SAO PAULO, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Hulk squandered a penalty as Atletico Mineiro had to settle for a goalless draw with Palmeiras in the first leg of their all-Brazilian Copa Libertadores semifinal here on Tuesday.
The visitors had the chance to go ahead just before halftime at Allianz Parque when former Chelsea and Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa was brought down by Gustavo Gomez. Hulk stepped up to take the resultant spot-kick but sent his effort rebounding off the right post.
Atletico dominated possession but were unable to breach a stubborn Palmeiras defense and did not manage a single shot on target.
A forgettable night was made worse for Atletico when Costa limped off in the second half with an apparent hamstring injury.
The second leg will be played at Atletico Mineiro's Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte next Tuesday (Sept. 28).
Palmeiras are aiming to win South America's premier club competition for the second straight year and the third time in their history while Atletico are vying for their second title.
The first leg of the other semifinal between Barcelona SC and Flamengo will be played in the Ecuadorian port city of Guayaquil on Wednesday. Enditem