Barbosa double helps Flamengo beat River Plate to claim Copa Libertadores
A dramatic late double from Gabriel Barbosa saw Flamengo come from a goal down to claim their first Copa Libertadores title since 1981 with victory over River Plate in Lima.
Argentinian side River were looking to defend the title they had won in an infamous final against rivals Boca Juniors twelve months ago, and looked on course to do so, having been in control for much of the game after Rafael Santos Borre’s opener.
Two last-gasp goals gave Flamengo the win over defending champion River Plate https://t.co/AGcXArQFjd
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) November 24, 2019
But Barbosa, nicknamed ‘Gabigol’ in Brazil, levelled with a tap-in from close range in the 89th minute, and the first final in the competition’s history to be held as a one-off, rather than two-legged affair seemed to be heading for extra-time.
That was until the top scorer in this season’s competition struck again in added time to complete a smash-and-grab raid for the side managed by former Sporting and Benfica boss Jorge Jesus.
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Barbosa was then sent off deep into stoppage time for his part in a fracas started by Exequiel Palacios’ petulant kick-out, for which he also saw red.
Flamengo will go on to represent the South American federation at next month’s Club World Cup, where they could be set for a repeat of their famous clash against Liverpool from the 1981 tournament.