Gabigol Wins The Copa Libertadores For Flamengo

by
Former Writers
November 23, 2019

Photo credit to GSantoos5 via Twitter

Gabigol Wins The Copa Libertadores For Flamengo

Flamengo won the Copa Libertadores for the first time since 1981 thanks to two late goals from Gabriel Barbosa who helped defeat defending champions River Plate at the Estadio Monumental in Peru.

River looked set to win a third Copa Libertadores title in five years thanks to an early goal from Rafael Santos Borre. However, Gabriel Barbosa tapped the ball into the net with a minute to go.

Then into injury time he brilliantly finished after outmuscling the River Plate defense to send the Flamengo fans wild.

It is only the second time the Brazilian side have won the Copa Libertadores in what was one of the most incredible finishes in the competition’s history.

They will now have the chance to play in the FIFA World Club Cup next month.

For River, this is a tough defeat to take, as they controlled large parts of the game. However, they weren’t able to see the game out and were punished by South America’s top goalscorer.

In the process, they were unable to become the first side to retain the Copa Libertadores since their great rivals Boca Juniors did in 2000 and 2001.

Rafael Santos Borre Fires River Ahead

It was a nervy start from both sides with the occasion appearing to unsettle the players in the early stages.

However, on 14 minutes, River Plate took the lead. Mattias Suarez got to the by line and cut the ball back across the box. Two Flamengo defenders failed to clear the ball and it eventually broke to Rafael Santos Borre. The Colombian striker took his chance and slotted the ball past Diego Alves in the Flamengo goal.

Flamengo were struggling to get any kind of foothold in the game. River Plate were pressing them high up the pitch and the Brazilian side were unable to cope with it.

Nine minutes before half time, River Plate almost doubled their lead. Midfielder Exequiel Palacios unleashed a fierce shot from 25-yards-out, which went just wide of goal.

The Mengão were struggling to provide top goalscorers Bruno Henrique and Gabriel Barbosa with any kind of service with both looking very isolated up front.

Better From Flamengo

Flamengo star striker Gabriel Barbosa was unable to make any kind of impact in the first half. However, minutes into the second he was finally able to get a shot at goal away but his strike from just outside of the box was straight at Franco Armani in the River goal.

On 53 minutes, River midfielder Exequiel Palacios curled a shot from 20-yards-out, which went just wide, as the Argentinian side chased a second goal.

Five minutes later, Flamengo somehow failed to equalize. The Brazilian side played on despite an injury to a River player. The ball was cut across goal to Gabriel Barbosa who’s shot was brilliantly blocked by River midfielder Nicolas De La Cruz.

The rebound fell to Flamengo midfielder Everton Ribeiro but his shot was well saved by Franco Armani.

The Brazilian side were starting to run out of ideas and looked unable to break down a well organised River defense.

Gabigol The Hero For Flamengo

However, with just a minute to go, Flamengo were level. Bruno Henrique cut the ball back across the box to Gabriel Barbosa. He tapped the ball into the next to rescue his side and keep their hopes alive.

Then incredibly in injury time Flamengo won it. A long ball over the top was poorly dealt with by River Plate’s defense. The ball fell to Gabriel Barbosa who fired the ball past Franco Armani in the River goal to send the Flamengo fans wild.

The frustrations got the better off River Plate who had Exequiel Palacios sent off for lashing out at Bruno Henrique.

Flamengo hero Gabriel Barbosa also got sent off late on for dissent.

Not that it mattered and not that he cared, as Gabigol wrote himself in Flamengo folklore.