Boca Juniors clinched a 4-2 penalty shootout victory over Palmeiras at São Paulo’s Allianz Parque.
Both teams ended regulation time with a 1-1 draw. Uruguayan Edinson Cavani scored for Boca in the 23rd minute.
However, Joaquín Piquerez leveled the score in the 77th minute with a long-range shot.
Boca’s goalie, Sergio Romero, shined in the penalty kicks. This win sends Boca to their twelfth Copa Libertadores final.
They aim for their seventh title. Interestingly, they reached this point without a win after the group stages.
All six knockout matches ended in ties. Yet, they excelled in penalty shootouts.
Coach Jorge Almirón led the team expertly through these challenges. In this match, Boca faced difficulty after Marcos Rojo’s 65th-minute red card.
Even then, Romero saved multiple late-game attempts by Palmeiras players. Ultimately, his efforts helped clinch the 4-2 victory in penalties.
This win marks the third time Boca ousted Palmeiras from the tournament. They had previous victories in the 2001 and 2018 semifinals.
Furthermore, they prevented an all-Brazilian final for the fourth year running. Now, Boca will face Fluminense in a single-match final.
This format was introduced in 2019. Fluminense is still seeking their first title, having lost in their sole 2008 appearance.
The final showdown will happen at Fluminense’s home ground, adding more excitement to the contest.
Background
Boca’s approach to this tournament has been unusual but effective. They’ve made it to the final without a single win post-group stage, relying on penalty shootouts.
This strategy may be risky, yet it has delivered results. On the other hand, Fluminense has had a more conventional path to the final, making the showdown even more intriguing.
Globally, the Copa Libertadores is gaining more attention year by year. It serves as a platform for South American talent to showcase skills to the world.
Notably, the success of European clubs in signing South American players adds to the tournament’s prestige.
This year’s final, featuring a historically dominant Boca against a hungry Fluminense, promises to be a spectacle worth watching.