- River Plate secure fourth Copa Libertadores title against Boca Juniors
- Juan Quintero, Gonzalo Martinez clinched 3-1 win in Madrid
- They now qualify for their second FIFA Club World Cup
River Plate secured the final place at the FIFA Club World Cup after they triumphed in the Copa Libertadores final with a 5-3 aggregate win over Buenos Aires rivals Boca Juniors.
A Juan Quintero screamer and late Gonzalo Martinez tap-in settled the match after Diego Benedetto and Lucas Pratto had exchanged goals to see the second leg in Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu go to extra time.
The dismissal of Wilmar Barrios swung the pendulum in River’s favour and Quintero’s sensational strike – rattling off the underside of the bar – before Martinez's last-second breakaway goal saw them win 3-1 on the night and claim a fourth Libertadores title in the competition’s last two-legged final.
Pablo Perez could easily have had Boca two goals to the good as they enjoyed the clearest chance of the energetic opening exchanges of the biggest Superclasico in history. Left all alone at the back post, Los Xenezies’ captain could only volley straight at Franco Armani following a corner, while River needed a heroic block from Milton Casco to deny him as he picked up the scraps following a free-kick.
River Plate 3-1 Boca Juniors (5-3 agg) (Copa Libertadores 2018 final, second leg)
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The River Plate team celebrate with the Copa Libertadores Trophy following
09 Dec 2018
MADRID, SPAIN - DECEMBER 09: The River Plate team celebrate with the Copa Libertadores Trophy following their victory in the second leg of the final match of Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores 2018 between Boca Juniors and River Plate at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on December 9, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. Due to the violent episodes of November 24th at River Plate stadium, CONMEBOL rescheduled the game and moved it out of Americas for the first time in history. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
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The River Plate team celebrate with the Copa Libertadores Trophy
09 Dec 2018
MADRID, SPAIN - DECEMBER 09: The River Plate team celebrate with the Copa Libertadores Trophy following their victory in the second leg of the final match of Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores 2018 between Boca Juniors and River Plate at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on December 9, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. Due to the violent episodes of November 24th at River Plate stadium, CONMEBOL rescheduled the game and moved it out of Americas for the first time in history. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
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River Plate players celebrate with the Copa Libertadores Trophy
09 Dec 2018
MADRID, SPAIN - DECEMBER 09: River Plate players celebrate with the Copa Libertadores Trophy following their sides victory in the second leg of the final match of Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores 2018 between Boca Juniors and River Plate at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on December 9, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. Due to the violent episodes of November 24th at River Plate stadium, CONMEBOL rescheduled the game and moved it out of Americas for the first time in history. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)
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Gonzalo Martinez of River Plate scores
09 Dec 2018
MADRID, SPAIN - DECEMBER 09: Gonzalo Martinez of River Plate scores his team's third goal during the second leg of the final match of Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores 2018 between Boca Juniors and River Plate at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on December 9, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. Due to the violent episodes of November 24th at River Plate stadium, CONMEBOL rescheduled the game and moved it out of Americas for the first time in history. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
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Juan Quintero of River Plate celebrates after scoring his team's second goal
09 Dec 2018
MADRID, SPAIN - DECEMBER 09: Juan Quintero of River Plate celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the second leg of the final match of Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores 2018 between Boca Juniors and River Plate at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on December 9, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. Due to the violent episodes of November 24th at River Plate stadium, CONMEBOL rescheduled the game and moved it out of Americas for the first time in history. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
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Lucas Pratto of River Plate celebrates
09 Dec 2018
MADRID, SPAIN - DECEMBER 09: Lucas Pratto of River Plate celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's first goal during the second leg of the final match of Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores 2018 between Boca Juniors and River Plate at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on December 9, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. Due to the violent episodes of November 24th at River Plate stadium, CONMEBOL rescheduled the game and moved it out of Americas for the first time in history. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
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Referee Andres Ismael Cunha Soca shows Wilmar Barrios of Boca Juniors a red card
09 Dec 2018
MADRID, SPAIN - DECEMBER 09: Referee Andres Ismael Cunha Soca shows Wilmar Barrios of Boca Juniors a red card during the second leg of the final match of Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores 2018 between Boca Juniors and River Plate at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on December 9, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. Due to the violent episodes of November 24th at River Plate stadium, CONMEBOL rescheduled the game and moved it out of Americas for the first time in history. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)
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Dario Benedetto of Boca Juniors celebrates
09 Dec 2018
MADRID, SPAIN - DECEMBER 09: Dario Benedetto of Boca Juniors celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the second leg of the final match of Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores 2018 between Boca Juniors and River Plate at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on December 9, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. Due to the violent episodes of November 24th at River Plate stadium, CONMEBOL rescheduled the game and moved it out of Americas for the first time in history. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
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Gonzalo Montiel of River Plate
09 Dec 2018
MADRID, SPAIN - DECEMBER 09: Gonzalo Montiel of River Plate reacts during the second leg of the final match of Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores 2018 between Boca Juniors and River Plate at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on December 9, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. Due to the violent episodes of November 24th at River Plate stadium, CONMEBOL rescheduled the game and moved it out of Americas for the first time in history. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)
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Dario Benedetto of Boca Juniors scores his team's first goal
09 Dec 2018
MADRID, SPAIN - DECEMBER 09: Dario Benedetto of Boca Juniors scores his team's first goal during the second leg of the final match of Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores 2018 between Boca Juniors and River Plate at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on December 9, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. Due to the violent episodes of November 24th at River Plate stadium, CONMEBOL rescheduled the game and moved it out of Americas for the first time in history. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
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Pablo Perez of Boca Juniors shoots during the second leg of the final
09 Dec 2018
MADRID, SPAIN - DECEMBER 09: Pablo Perez of Boca Juniors shoots during the second leg of the final match of Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores 2018 between Boca Juniors and River Plate at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on December 9, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. Due to the violent episodes of November 24th at River Plate stadium, CONMEBOL rescheduled the game and moved it out of Americas for the first time in history. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
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Dario Benedetto of Boca Juniors kicks a free kick during the second leg
09 Dec 2018
MADRID, SPAIN - DECEMBER 09: Dario Benedetto of Boca Juniors kicks a free kick during the second leg of the final match of Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores 2018 between Boca Juniors and River Plate at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on December 9, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. Due to the violent episodes of November 24th at River Plate stadium, CONMEBOL rescheduled the game and moved it out of Americas for the first time in history. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
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Ignacio Fernandez of River Plate is challenged by Lisandro Magallan of Boca Juniors
09 Dec 2018
MADRID, SPAIN - DECEMBER 09: Ignacio Fernandez of River Plate is challenged by Lisandro Magallan of Boca Juniors during the second leg of the final match of Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores 2018 between Boca Juniors and River Plate at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on December 9, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. Due to the violent episodes of November 24th at River Plate stadium, CONMEBOL rescheduled the game and moved it out of Americas for the first time in history. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)
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Exequiel Palacios of River Plate holds off Wilmar Barrios of Boca Juniors
09 Dec 2018
MADRID, SPAIN - DECEMBER 09: Exequiel Palacios of River Plate holds off Wilmar Barrios of Boca Juniors during the second leg of the final match of Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores 2018 between Boca Juniors and River Plate at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on December 9, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. Due to the violent episodes of November 24th at River Plate stadium, CONMEBOL rescheduled the game and moved it out of Americas for the first time in history. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
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The River Plate players pose for a team photo
09 Dec 2018
MADRID, SPAIN - DECEMBER 09: The River Plate players pose for a team photo prior to the second leg of the final match of Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores 2018 between Boca Juniors and River Plate at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on December 9, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. Due to the violent episodes of November 24th at River Plate stadium, CONMEBOL rescheduled the game and moved it out of Americas for the first time in history. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)
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Cristian Pavon of Boca Juniors is challenged by Camilo Mayada
09 Dec 2018
MADRID, SPAIN - DECEMBER 09: Cristian Pavon of Boca Juniors is challenged by Camilo Mayada of River Plate during the second leg of the final match of Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores 2018 between Boca Juniors and River Plate at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on December 9, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. Due to the violent episodes of November 24th at River Plate stadium, CONMEBOL rescheduled the game and moved it out of Americas for the first time in history. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)
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A detailed view of the Copa Libertadores Trophy
09 Dec 2018
MADRID, SPAIN - DECEMBER 09: A detailed view of the Copa Libertadores Trophy is seen prior to the second leg of the final match of Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores 2018 between Boca Juniors and River Plate at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on December 9, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. Due to the violent episodes of November 24th at River Plate stadium, CONMEBOL rescheduled the game and moved it out of Americas for the first time in history. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
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Boca Juniors and River Plate fans enjoys the atmosphere prior to the second leg of the final match of Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores
09 Dec 2018
MADRID, SPAIN - DECEMBER 09: Boca Juniors and River Plate fans enjoys the atmosphere prior to the second leg of the final match of Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores 2018 between Boca Juniors and River Plate at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on December 9, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. Due to the violent episodes of November 24th at River Plate stadium, CONMEBOL rescheduled the game and moved it out of Americas for the first time in history. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)
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Fans of Boca Juniors pose for a picture outside Santiago Bernabeu Stadium
09 Dec 2018
MADRID, SPAIN - DECEMBER 09: Fans of Boca Juniors pose for a picture outside Santiago Bernabeu Stadium before their team play against River Plate in the Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores second leg final on December 09, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images)
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A River Plate fan holds a scarf during the second leg of the final match of Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores
09 Dec 2018
MADRID, SPAIN - DECEMBER 09: A River Plate fan holds a scarf during the second leg of the final match of Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores 2018 between Boca Juniors and River Plate at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on December 9, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. Due to the violent episodes of November 24th at River Plate stadium, CONMEBOL rescheduled the game and moved it out of Americas for the first time in history. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
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River Plate fans enjoy the atmosphere prior to the second leg of the final match of Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores
09 Dec 2018
MADRID, SPAIN - DECEMBER 09: River Plate fans enjoy the atmosphere prior to the second leg of the final match of Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores 2018 between Boca Juniors and River Plate at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on December 9, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. Due to the violent episodes of November 24th at River Plate stadium, CONMEBOL rescheduled the game and moved it out of Americas for the first time in history. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)
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Merchandise is seen for sale prior to the second leg of the final match of Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores 2018
09 Dec 2018
MADRID, SPAIN - DECEMBER 09: Merchandise is seen for sale prior to the second leg of the final match of Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores 2018 between Boca Juniors and River Plate at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on December 9, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. Due to the violent episodes of November 24th at River Plate stadium, CONMEBOL rescheduled the game and moved it out of Americas for the first time in history. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
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A fan holds an Argentina flag prior to the second leg of the final match of Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores 2018
09 Dec 2018
MADRID, SPAIN - DECEMBER 09: between Boca Juniors and River Plate at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on December 9, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. Due to the violent episodes of November 24th at River Plate stadium, CONMEBOL rescheduled the game and moved it out of Americas for the first time in history. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
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avier Pinola of River Plate celebrates after teammate Juan Quintero
09 Dec 2018
MADRID, SPAIN - DECEMBER 09: Javier Pinola of River Plate celebrates after teammate Juan Quintero scores their team's second goal during the second leg of the final match of Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores 2018 between Boca Juniors and River Plate at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on December 9, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. Due to the violent episodes of November 24th at River Plate stadium, CONMEBOL rescheduled the game and moved it out of Americas for the first time in history. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
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The opener came after River had spurned their clearest opening at the other end. Esteban Andrada in the Boca net gave away the ball needlessly outside his area, though where Los Millonarios lacked composure to convert, Benedetto had stacks of it.
A lightning counter saw the frontman – fed by a sensational Nahitan Nandez through ball - skip beyond Maidana and slot coolly beyond Armani two minutes before the break.
River remerged energised, with Ignacio Fernandez flashing narrowly wide from distance to clearly state their intentions. It took 20 minutes of probing and testing Andrada before they levelled.
It was a delightful move that brought it, with Boca’s backline sliced to blue ribbons by a quick-fire series of incisive passes, leaving Pratto to fire into the gaping net.
While clear chances dried up, the intensity remained as the sides couldn’t be separate and the final moved into an additional 30 minutes. That passion overflowed moments after it began, with Barrios seeing Boca reduced to ten men for his second yellow.
The tide then shifted heavily in the favour of those in white and red and Quintero struck a ferocious effort with his left foot to put them ahead on the night for the first time. Ten-man Boca hurled everything at them to try to snatch an equaliser – with Leonardo Jara hitting the post – but it didn’t materialise, with Martinez rolling into an empty net with the last kick of the game.
They will now head to their second-ever Club World Cup, having featured in 2015 when they finished second behind Barcelona.
