DBasia.news – The 2018 final round of Copa Libertadores who got postponed finally held at Santiago Bernabeu, Monday (10/12). River Plate became the winner after defeating the rival, Boca Juniors.
River won 3-1 and 5-3 goal aggregate after the 2-2 first leg. Riber under Marcelo Gallardo won the 59th Copa Libertadores title and also the fourth for the club after the similar achievements in 1986, 1996, and 2015.
As a matter of fact, the match was held at Bernabeu, Real Madrid home, due to the intense situation at River home, El Monumental, after the attack to the Boca Juniors bus by River fans, hurting some players.
After a long discussion, CONMEBOL decided the match would be conducted at Santiago Bernabeu. The Superclasico match was intense because both teams involved are the biggest and the most legendary in Argentina.
In the first 30 minutes, River could dominate the ball possession and Boca relied on the counter-attack. Both teams faced a difficulty to attack and played hurry by releasing the long pass to the front.
The score changed at 44′. Boca striker, Dario Benedetto, passed Jonathan Maidana when responding to the attack from Nahitan Nandez and scored the first goal in this match. Boca won 1-0 in the first half.
In the second half, River responded and Gallardo sent Fernando Quintero at 58′. Boca, under Gullermo Barros Schelotto also substituted the striker Benedetto with Ramon Abila at 62′.
Copa Libertadores
River’s goal resulted in the equalizing goal at 68′. The quick game happened between Ignacio Fernandez and Enzo Perez who ended with Fernandez’s assist to Lucas Pratto. He converted it to a goal, 1-1.
The situation was still equal until the 90 minutes ended. Camilo Mayada entered substituting River player Gonzalo Montiel. On the other hand, Schelotto sent the former Madrid player who understands Bernabeu atmosphere, Fernando Gago, substituting Pablo Perez.
During the additional time, there was a drama after Wilmar Barrios got a red card. He got two yellow cards in this match. Schelotto sent Leonardo Jara to substitute Sebastian Villa at 96′.
River tried to attack by the winning situation, also supported by Julian Alvarez who entered the pitch substituting Exequiel Palacios.
Consequently, River could win at 109′ by the goal from Quintero. Mayada who saw the gap in Boca’s defense gave the assist and resulted to River’s second goal.
The match ended at 120+2. The situation in front of Boca goal after the corner-kick was utilized by Gonzalo Martinez to change the score to be 3-1. The match ended, River won 3-1 and won 5-3 goal aggregate.
Squad Composition:
River Plate (4-1-4-1): Franco Armani; Gonzalo Montiel (Camilo Mayada 74’), Jonathan Maidana, Javier Pinola, Milton Casco; Leonardo Ponzio (Juan Fernando Quintero 58’); Ignacio Fernandez (Bruno Zuculini 111’), Enzo Perez, Exequiel Palacios (Julian Alvarez 97’), Gonzalo Martinez; Lucas Pratto.
Substitute Players: German Lux, Lucas Martinez Quarta, Camilo Mayada, Bruno Zuculini, Juan Fernando Quintero, Rodrigo Mora, Julian Alvarez.
Coach: Marcelo Gallardo
Boca Juniors (4-3-3): Esteban Andrada; Julio Buffarini (Carlos Tevez 111’), Carlos Izquierdoz, Lisandro Magallan, Lucas Olaza; Nahitan Nandez, Wilmar Barrios, Pablo Perez (Fernando Gago 89’); Sebastian Villa (Leonardo Jara 96’), Cristian Pavon, Dario Benedetto (Ramon Abila 62’).
Substitute Players: Agustin Rossi, Paolo Goltz, Fernando Gago, Leonardo Jara, Ramon Abila, Mauro Zarate, Carlos Tevez.
Coach: Guillermo Barros Schelotto