2023-10-06 06:42:00
With two saves by goalkeeper Sergio Romero in the definition from the penalty spot, Boca Juniors beat Palmeiras 4-2, after equaling 1-1 in regulation time, and qualified for the final of the Copa Libertadores, in which they will face to Fluminense. Without winning any match in the knockout phase of the continental tournament, Xeneize once again relied on Chiquito who, as he had already done against Nacional and Racing in the round of 16 and quarterfinals, led the Argentine team to the final to be played on November 4 at the Maracanã stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
The goalkeeper, who defended the National Team’s goal in the 2010 and 2014 World Cups, stopped Raphael Veiga and Gustavo Gómez’s penalties at the beginning of the shootout, which had started with Edinson Cavani’s shot stopped by Weverton. Boca did not fail again and with the successes of Bruno Valdez, Nicolás Valentini, Jorge Figal and Guillermo Pol Fernández they kept alive the dream of reaching their seventh Copa Libertadores and equaling Independiente de Avellaneda as the top winner in history.
After the goalless draw in the first leg, the second leg played at the Allianz Parque in Sao Paulo began with dominance by the hosts, who had more than 80% ball possession. Boca tried to close well in their field and come out with speed. And his plan paid off in the 23rd minute when Uruguayan Miguel Merentiel escaped the mark of defender Gustavo Gómez on a counterattack and crossed for his compatriot Cavani to open the scoring. The 36-year-old forward ended Boca’s scoring drought of 336 minutes in the tournament. He signed his second score in 11 appearances with the blue and gold team.
Verdao accused the goal against them and could not organize themselves to attack in the rest of the first half, in which they only threatened with two finishes from Rony, which went over the crossbar. For the second period, Palmeiras coach Abel Ferreira brought on 17-year-old attacker Endrick, who reactivated the São Paulo offensive. On the contrary, Jorge Almirón reinforced his defense with the entry of defender Bruno Valdez for Merentiel.
The process took a turn in the 66th minute with a reckless tackle by defender Marcos Rojo on Endrick, which cost him expulsion for a second yellow card and left Boca outnumbered. Palmeiras went on the attack with everything and achieved the tie in the 73rd minute with a long shot from Uruguayan Joaquín Piquerez. In the final stretch, Romero grew his figure and avoided the fall of his fence by deflecting a overhead kick from Rony, which was his seventh save of the match.
In the definition from 11 meters, Romero – who has saved 11 of the 23 penalties that have been thrown at him since defending Boca’s goal – continued his exhibition to take the Argentine club to its 12th. final of the Libertadores and avoid the fourth consecutive definition between Brazilian teams.
Of course, as soon as Boca Juniors’ classification was completed, the memes broke out. The figure of Chiquito Romero, the changes of Jorge Almirón and the blessed penalties, were a recurring theme on social networks. Also the support they will have from Flamengo, Fluminense’s biggest rival, ahead of the final.
The best memes from Boca’s classification to the final of the Copa Libertadores
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