Without injured leading scorer Fernando Zampedri, securing the victory needed over Palmeiras in São Paulo always looked like a tough ask for Atlético Tucumán and so it proved as El Decano were left to rue miss chances in a 3-1 defeat.

Colombian defender Yerry Mina put the Brazilians ahead early after a training ground set-piece caught the visitors napping but Pablo Lavallén’s side continued to come forward and should have been level long before Luís Rodríguez headed a 55th-minute equaliser.

With Peñarol beating Jorge Wilstermann, any victory would be enough and perhaps with a more emphatic finisher like Zampedri available, Atlético could have made the most of the opportunities created. However, Willian and veteran Zé Roberto wrapped up the win for Palmeiras to comfortably take top spot and ensure it would only be Copa Sudamericana football for El Decano.