Boca Juniors players eliminated Palmeiras (1-1, 4 tab to 2) on the night of Thursday to Friday and will try to win this tournament for the seventh time on November 4, against another Brazilian, Fluminense.
After the 0-0 draw in the first leg in Buenos Aires, Uruguayan star Edinson Cavani experienced a night full of emotions in São Paulo: author of the opening score in regulation time, the Uruguayan star then missed his shot on goal. A failure ultimately without consequence, the Argentinian international goalkeeper Romero having stopped two Brazilian shots.
By dismissing Palmeiras, Boca Juniors prevented a fourth straight final between Brazilian teams in the Copa Libertadores, the South American equivalent of the European Champions League.
Boca’s goal was born from a 100% Uruguayan action: Merentiel overflowed on the left and crossed the line for Cavani, who propelled the ball into the back of the net with a furious tackle (23rd), to score his very first goal in Copa Libertadores.
The visitors were reduced to numerical inferiority shortly after the break, when Rojo, a former Manchester United defender, was sent off after receiving his second yellow card (66th).
Palmeiras took the opportunity to equalize thanks to a long-range strike from another Uruguayan, Joaquin Piquerez (73rd), but the Argentines ended up having the last word during the penalty shootout.
Titled in 1977, 1978, 2000, 2001, 2003 and 2007, they can continue to dream of equaling the record of Independiente, holders of seven Copa Libertadores trophies.
The semi-finals favored the teams who played the second leg away.
On Wednesday, Fluminense booked their ticket to the grand final on November 4 by beating another Brazilian team, Porto Alegre International, 2-1 after drawing 2-2 in the first leg.
The “tricolores” of Rio de Janeiro, who dream of a first Copa Libertadores title after the final lost in 2008, will play the final in their city on November 4, at the legendary Maracana stadium.