Ex-Man United duo Edinson Cavani and Sergio Romero play starring role as Boca Juniors beat Palmeiras on penalties to reach Copa Libertadores final – but only after fellow former Red Devil Marcos Rojo is sent off!
- Boca Juniors have come through a penalty shootout three games in a row
- The Argentinians will now take on Brazilian side Fluminense at the Maracana
- Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’
Former Manchester United trio Edinson Cavani, Sergio Romero and Marcos Rojo were at the centre of the action as Argentina’s Boca Juniors beat Brazil’s Palmeiras 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw to reach the Copa Libertadores final.
After Cavani opened the scoring for the visitors in the 23rd minute by prodding home a cross from Miguel Merentiel – on loan from Palmeiras – the Brazilians went in at the break a goal down.
But their fortunes quickly changed, with fellow Old Trafford alumnus Rojo sent off for a second bookable offence on 66 minutes, before they equalised in the 73rd with a deflected shot by Joaquim Piquerez from the edge of the box.
With penalties beckoning as a result of no away goals ruling and a 0-0 draw in the first leg, Palmeiras looked to press home their advantage.
The Brazilian club continued to pressure and nearly scored in the last minute of added time with a bicycle kick by Rony, which was saved by Romero, handing his side a lifeline at the death.
Former Manchester United stars Edinson Cavani and Sergio Romero helped Boca Juniors reach the final of the Copa Libertadores
Fellow ex-Red Devil was sent off in the second half after two bookable offences against Palmeiras
Romero was twice the hero in the shootout, saving penalties from both Raphael Veiga and Gustavo Gomez
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Boca once more had Romero to thank, as the game was once more decided on penalties, as it had been in the previous two knockout rounds.
The former United and Sevilla keeper stopped shots by Raphael Veiga and Gustavo Gómez in the shootout, while Palmeiras’ Weverton stopped Cavani’s shot, only for the Argentine’s to win 4-2.
‘I’m 36 years old – an age when I like to have fun, and for me penalties are fun,’ said Romero.
‘You dream about these kind of days when you are a kid and so to live it is a unique, special experience,’ Boca midfielder Ezequiel Fernandez added.
‘It’s history but we know how big we are, how great we are, but it is still a dream.’
Boca’s triumph stops a streak of three consecutive all-Brazilian Copa Libertadores finals.
Boca will travel to play another Brazilian club, Fluminense, in the November 4 final at their opponent’s home venue, the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro.
The Argentinian giants will seek a seventh South American crown when they take on Fluminense, led by Brazil’s national team coach Fernando Diniz, looking for a first Copa Libertadores title.
Boca Juniors will fight for a seventh Libertadores crown against Fluminense at the Maracana
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