It’s taken 39 days and two reschedules (one due to rain, the other due to violence ) — and of course we ultimately needed extra time — but we finally have a champion of the Superclásico Copa Libertadores final: River Plate, a wild 5-3 on aggregate.
After the 2-2 first leg back on Nov. 11, River defeated Boca Juniors 3-1 after extra time at the Santiago Bernabéu to earn South America's ultimate prize. Throughout the two legs, the football never disappointed. Today's final was decided by three exceptional goals — Dario Benedetto scored a deserved opener for Boca, but River fought back via a wonderful team goal finished by Lucas Pratto and a crack from Juan Quintero.
River’s third was scored on an empty net by Gonzalo Martinez after Boca keeper Esteban Andrada come forward for a corner at the death.
The spectacle itself obviously looked a lot different at the Bernabéu. We swapped a mid-70s afternoon in Buenos Aires for a 50-degree evening in Madrid, and instead of having 66,000 packed into el Monumental in full voice an hour before kick-off, the Bernabéu filled up slowly apart from the opposite corners of the ground which housed the most vocal of Boca and River support.
#CopaLibertadores Del lado derecho del Bernabéu cantan los hinchas de @CARPoficial pic.twitter.com/Oly62zLleD
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) December 9, 2018
#CopaLibertadores Los hinchas de @BocaJrsOficial del lado izquierdo del Bernabéu pic.twitter.com/cbtjDgiWrI
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) December 9, 2018
The atmosphere outside the stadium was a little more relaxed than the Argentina capital.
Friendship!
Half-n-half scarves!
And inside, the players marveled at the change of scenery.
But this was still a Superclásico and a Copa Libertadores final, despite elements of the “most costly friendly in history” (as Boca legend Juan Roman Riquelme called it) seeping in the background.
Diego Simeone was there. Mauro Icardi was in the building. James Rodriguez! Angel Correa! Jordi Alba! Javier Zanetti! Leonardo Bonucci! Paulo Dybala! Antoine Griezmann and Diego Godin!
Diego Godin and Antoine Griezmann at the Santiago Bernabéu ready for the #CopaLibertadores final. pic.twitter.com/t6BXTfSpp9
— ESP Football (@ESPFutbol_en) December 9, 2018
MESSI WAS THERE!
Loooooooool River and Boca fans are gonna spend the whole game looking at Messi lmaooo pic.twitter.com/eSe7OGgRdS
— mx (@LioMessi10i) December 9, 2018
What a warm reception by the fans for Leo #Messi in #Superclasico at the Bernabeù.#CopaLibertadores #RiverBoca pic.twitter.com/rapFULpjFo
— ŮMęŘ (@UT170204) December 9, 2018
The first half finally got under way, and it was all Boca Juniors. Boca twice went close to opening the scoring…
#CopaLibertadores ¡Que cerca! La primera del partido fue para @BocaJrsOficial pic.twitter.com/2xVFE3W22C
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) December 9, 2018
#CopaLibertadores ¡Como no entró ese balón! Pablo Pérez estuvo cerca de abrir el marcador para @BocaJrsOficial pic.twitter.com/C3O9UuVUhk
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) December 9, 2018
…and in the 44th minute, Benedetto finally provided the finish after a brilliant pass from Nahitan Nandez to put Boca up 3-2 on aggregate.
#CopaLibertadores ¡Se rompe el cero! @PipaBenedetto no perdona y pone el primero para @BocaJrsOficial pic.twitter.com/oFYDbB9Lj5
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) December 9, 2018
#CopaLibertadores ¡A detalle! El gol de @BocaJrsOficial que lo tiene arriba en el marcador. pic.twitter.com/JJ1SBz1nnU
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) December 9, 2018
Benedetto celebrated by giving Gonzalo Montiel some kind of look.
But River’s influence in the match grew in the second half with Quintero replacing Leonardo Ponzio in midfield. Pratto had a penalty appeal waved away in the 56th minute, but the striker made no mistake with his opportunity in the 68th.
This was a goal of the highest order from River — especially the pass from Exequiel Palacios to release Ignacio Fernandez in the box. Back to 3-3 on aggregate.
#CopaLibertadores ¡Se empató el partido! Lucas Pratto a sangre fría iguala el marcador para @CARPoficial pic.twitter.com/zLXLzpXpCi
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) December 9, 2018
Neither side could find the winner inside 90 minutes, and we went to extra time.
But two minutes into proceedings, Boca’s Wilmar Barrios collected his second yellow card of the night and handed the initiative to River.
#CopaLibertadores ¡Lo que faltaba! Wilmar Barrios se despide el partido para @BocaJrsOficial pic.twitter.com/4h2HDpHmeS
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) December 9, 2018
But the first half of extra time passed without further incident. Penalties loomed…
#CopaLibertadores ¿Momento de rezar? pic.twitter.com/thG2u2nxYf
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) December 9, 2018
Then, a flash of lightening and a crack of thunder — Quintero’s thunderbolt kissed the underside of the crossbar to give River the lead in the 109th minute.
#CopaLibertadores ¡Imparable! Golazo de @juanferquinte10 que pone a @CARPoficial más cerca del título. pic.twitter.com/S4e3Vl5du1
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) December 9, 2018
Martinez scored the third and River captured its fourth Copa Libertadores title. It should be one hell of a party, but River must also now prepare for the FIFA Club World Cup — they'll play a semifinal match on Dec. 18.
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