Javier Pinola says he has never rewatched the 2019 Libertadores final, and it still hurts | OneFootball

Javier Pinola says he has never watched back the 2019 Copa Libertadores final, played at Estadio Monumental U in Peru on 23 November. The River Plate defender that day still feels the pain of the mistake that came before Gabigol’s winner for Flamengo.

“The Lima final? I have never watched it again. Obviously it hurts me, we had played an impressive match. We had a great team and, in three minutes, we lost. We have to live with that,” said Pinola, speaking to ESPN Argentina.

River Plate went ahead through Rafael Santos Borré after 14 minutes. With the match heading towards full time, Gabigol levelled on 43 minutes after a fine run by Bruno Henrique and an assist from Arrascaeta.

At 46 minutes of the second half, with the score 1-1, Diego Ribas played the ball forward. Pinola hesitated and headed it into Gabigol’s path, and the striker blasted in the winner to secure Flamengo’s second Libertadores title.

Pinola retired in 2022 and began his coaching path as an assistant at River Plate. He is now with Nuremberg, in Germany’s second division, a club where he also played and became an idol.

Source: Coluna Do Fla