Late goals give Flamengo dramatic Copa Libertadores title

LIMA, Peru (AP) — Brazil’s Flamengo beat River Plate of Argentina 2-1 with two late goals on Saturday to win its second Copa Libertadores in dramatic fashion.

Defending champion River opened the scoring in front of more than 65,000 fans at Monumental Stadium in the 14th minute through striker Rafael Santos Borré, and the Argentine side looked good to become the first back-to-back winner in 18 years.

But Flamengo’s Gabriel Barbosa scored in the 88th minute and in the second minute of injury time to give the Rio de Janeiro giant their first South American crown in 38 years.

The former Inter Milan flop met a low cross by midfielder Giorgian de Arrascaeta, and all Gabriel had to do was push it to the empty net.

Only four minutes later, a long ball out of the defense landed for Gabriel, who controlled the ball on the edge of the box and shot it past Argentina national team goalkeeper Franco Armani.

Gabriel and River’s Exequiel Palacios were sent off before the final whistle.

Flamengo is Brazil’s most popular club but it hadn’t won the Copa since 1981 when Zico was wearing No. 10.

Fans of the red-and-black team might have an even more memorable weekend. Flamengo will win the Brazilian championship on Sunday with four games in hand if second-placed Palmeiras fails to beat Gremio. The Rio club will then lift its seventh national title, and first since 2009.

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