Thanks to Romero and penalties: Boca will face Fluminense in the Copa Libertadores final

It’s already defined the final of the Copa Libertadores 2023 . In Sao Paulo, Boca Juniors beat Palmeiras on penalties (4-2), after equalizing 1-1 in regulation time, and accepted the definition of the continent’s main club tournament, an event in which they will face Fluminense who left Internacional de Porto Alegre on the way.

Everything was open in the confrontation between Brazilians and Argentines, as they found themselves tied scoreless in the first leg played at La Bombonera, a deal for Verdao as Boca deserved more luck at home. During the preparation for the rematch The synthetic carpet of the Allianz Parque stadium was a subject on the other side of the mountain range, where the São Paulo team plays the role of host. But this did not influence the development of the game.

The team led by Portuguese Abel Ferreira has enjoyed recent success at the Libertadores, as they have won two of the last three (2020 and 2021). In addition to this factor, it was necessary to confirm to the Bosteros the hegemony of the South American giant, winner of the last three finals.

Being a compact team, defending in an orderly manner and blessed with two incisive attackers, Boca found reward in the first half. Within 23 minutes, the Uruguayan Edinson Cavani the big signing of Argentine football this year, made the score 1-0. The former Valencia player hit the far post after an action from Miguel Merentiel. Palmeiras attempted to enter the Trans-Andean territory but was unsuccessful. I ended up going to the centers, to no avail. Jorge Almirón’s men entered the break with a 32.5% possession lead.

In the second period, Verdao came out on attack with everything to turn the series around. The Xeneize approach of being a short, counter-attacking team has become stronger. The Portuguese Ferreira took a gamble with the entry of Endrick the 17-year-old already acquired by Real Madrid. His entry complicated the existence of Boca’s defense on several occasions, which was strengthened with the entry of Bruno Valdez. In the 55th minute, Boca already had five in the net.

Marcos Rojo’s brutal play was a ticking time bomb. The experienced defender, formerly of Manchester United, usually falls into strong offenses. A few of them left his team with 10. In the 66th minute, Rojo received a double warning and left the field, when his team resisted the (somewhat fruitless) attacks of the local team. Sergio Romero’s saves were Boca’s support. The goalkeeper, vice-world champion in 2014, was one of the highlights of the second period. However, He could do nothing with the left foot of Joaquín Piquerez, who managed to equalize in the 73rd minute.

Romero was essential to Boca to resist the attacks of the Brazilians. In stoppage time, he scored in a beautiful way from a Chilean kick-off against Endrick, which was the qualifying goal. The Argentines were betting on penalties given the strength of their goalkeeper in this case. The match ended 1-1 and everything would be decided in the penalty shootout. Chiquito Romero once again emerged as the best, blocking two penalties. Boca won 4-2 and advanced.

The blue and gold team had not reached the Libertadores final since 2018, when they lost to River Plate in Madrid. They will meet Fernando Diniz’s Fluminense on November 4 at the Maracaná.