River Plate lifts Copa Libertadores trophy
The most extended Copa Libertadores final edition has a new champion. After four dramatic weeks, the second leg between River Plate and Boca Juniors concluded in the heart of the Santiago Bernabeu. Los Millonarios conquered their fourth Libertadores trophy after defeating Boca 3-1.
CONMEBOL gained criticism when the decision to export the Superclasico to Madrid was publicly announced. For the first time, the Copa Libertadores was the main course of the soccer world. Figures like Messi, Jordi Alba, Antoine Griezmann, Diego Pablo Simeone, James Rodriguez, Jose Maria Jimenez and Diego Godin attended the match.
The typical crowd wore coats and dressing shirts while they sat down in silence, like if they were in a church or a temple. Ready to witness history, prepared to compare the aesthetic of European football with the vile South American way to play.
However, the unusual event brought electricity to a stadium that feels more like a museum. The voices of the Argentinian fans gave the Santiago Bernabeu a heartbeat. Their throats never gave up, same as their enthusiasm.
During 40 minutes no damage was inflicted. A faster pitch, a different atmosphere and the eyes of the world put pressure on both sides. There was more desire to avoid the defeat than win the match for the glory because foreign soil will expose the loser.
Dario Benedetto opened the scoreboard with the audacity of an individual action. With the obligation, River Plate overtook the lines. With a more elegant football, River began to build more frontal attacks. With a fast triangulation, Lucas Prato tied the game at the 67th minute.
Boca decided to defend the result. The men that Guillermo Barros Schelotto sent into the field reflected a more cautious proposal than an offensive effort. The tie thrived during 90 minutes. River Plate grew as a team in the second half, but Boca kept the lock with a coordinated block.
In the second minute of the extra time, a second yellow card sent off Boca midfielder Wilmer Barrios. The dominion displayed by River Plate expanded after the red card. Marcelo Gallardo’s team lengthened the pitch, while Boca gave up more and more terrain.
The hope of penalty kicks ended in the second half of extra time. Juan Fernando Quintero made it 2-1 with a long shot that stroked the crossbar and then dropped into the net.
#GolesMillonarios ⚪🔴⚪
— River Plate (@CARPoficial) December 10, 2018
⚽ 👊🏽 Juan Fernando Quintero recibe fuera del área y define con un tiro inolvidable al ángulo izquierdo del arco de Boca. pic.twitter.com/ZkrigMTRLW
Eleven minutes separated River from eternal glory, but in desperate times, aesthetics don’t matter. Boca broke the midfield line, they attacked with every man that reached the opposite box and even goalkeeper Andrada was present in every corner kick. However, they lost Fernando Gago because of an injury, and without substitutions left, Gago left the field with no replacement.
Nine players against 11.
With the impossibility to build plays, Boca’s task was to send air balls into River’s box. There was no tactical drawing, just a desire to score.
In the added time, a solo run by Pity Martinez gave River Plate the 3-1 advantage and a new trophy to lift.
River Plate won the most critical Superclasico ever played. After all the criticism and drama, the Copa Libertadores resurrected in the maximum splendor.
Follow Luis on Twitter: @LFulloa.
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