Seven years on: remembering Boca’s defeat to River in Madrid | OneFootball

El Millo reached “eternal glory” by defeating the Xeneize 3-1 in a final that left an indelible mark on the two most important clubs in Argentina.

December 9, 2018, became one of the most iconic days in the history of South American football.

This Tuesday marks seven years since the memorable Copa Libertadores final between River Plate and Boca Juniors, played at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid. An unprecedented event that decided the champion of the most important tournament in America and left an unforgettable mark on the country’s greatest rivalry.

The road to Madrid was filled with controversy and emotion. The first leg, played at La Bombonera on November 11, ended in a 2-2 draw after a thrilling match. Boca took the lead with goals from Ramón Ábila and Darío Benedetto, while River equalized thanks to Lucas Pratto and an unfortunate own goal by Carlos Izquierdoz.

However, the return leg, initially scheduled for the Monumental, was suspended after Boca’s team bus was attacked by local fans. This incident led Conmebol to move the match to Spain, a decision that sparked controversy and criticism internationally.

At the Bernabéu, the spectacle lived up to expectations. Boca started better and took the lead with a great goal from Benedetto after an assist from Nahitan Nández.

However, in the second half, River responded through Juan Fernando Quintero, who came on to change the pace of the game. Lucas Pratto equalized after a brilliant team play, and in extra time, a stunning goal from Quintero from outside the box tipped the balance in favor of the team from Núñez.

With Boca throwing everything forward and down to nine men due to the sending off of Wilmar Barrios and the injury to Fernando Gago, Gonzalo “Pity” Martínez sealed the final 3-1 with a memorable run in the last minute.

A historic turning point

That final not only gave River its fourth Copa Libertadores, but also marked a before and after in the rivalry with Boca. For Marcelo Gallardo, it was the crowning achievement as the most important coach in the club’s history, while for Boca it was a blow that was hard to overcome. Beyond the titles and statistics, the legacy of that night in Madrid remains a topic of conversation and debate among fans of both teams.

Seven years after that match, the final in Madrid remains a milestone in world football, a clash that will forever be remembered as the most important Superclásico of all time.

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