Flamengo Libertadores ‘hero’ never rewatched final: “It hurts” | OneFootball

Javier Pinola made a mistake on Gabigol’s second goal in the 2019 Libertadores final

One of the most celebrated goals in the history of Flamengo is also one of the saddest moments of Javier Pinola’s career. A River Plate (ARG) center back in the 2019 Libertadores final, the Argentine still feels trauma from that historic November 23 of that year, at Estádio Monumental U, in Peru. The then-defender made a huge mistake on Gabigol’s second goal.

“The Lima final? I’ve never watched it again. Obviously it hurts me, we had played an incredible match. We had a fantastic team and, in three minutes, we lost. We have to live with that,” Pinola said in an interview with ESPN Argentina last Wednesday (27).

WHAT DID PINOLA DO AGAINST FLAMENGO?

Flamengo and River Plate were tied 1-1. Then, in the 46th minute of the second half, Diego Ribas sent the ball forward. Pinola, fully involved in the play, hesitated and, with a header, ended up laying the ball onto Gabigol’s left foot. Inspired and destined for the moment, the then No. 9 unleashed a rocket and secured the Rubro-Negro side’s second title.

Before Pinola’s mistake, River Plate had opened the scoring with Rafael Santos Borré in the 14th minute of the first half. Then, late in the match, when the clock showed 43 minutes of the second half, Gabigol equalized after a brilliant play by Bruno Henrique and an assist from Arrascaeta.

WHERE IS JAVIER PINOLA NOW?

Retired from football since 2022, Pinola began his coaching career as an assistant at River Plate itself. Today, the former center back is at Nuremberg (GER), a club in Germany’s second division, where he also played during his career and became an idol.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.