Boca Juniors beat Palmeiras on penalties to reach Copa Libertadores final

AFP, Sao Paolo :
Goalkeeper Sergio Romero was the hero as Boca Juniors beat Palmeiras 4-2 on penalties after their Copa Libertadores semi-final, second leg ended 1-1 on Thursday, to set up a clash with Brazilian club Fluminense in the final.

Edinson Cavani had put Boca ahead in the 23rd minute but after the Argentine club had defender Marcos Rojo sent off in the 66th minute, Joaquin Piquerez grabbed a leveller only for Boca to triumph in the shoot-out with Romero making two huge saves.

“I’m 36 years old and I’m at an age when I like to have fun, and for me penalties are fun,” said former Argentine national team keeper Romero who had helped his team to penalties wins in the previous two rounds.

Boca now have a chance to match Independiente’s record of seven Libertadores titles when they face a Fluminense team who are looking for the first triumph in South America’s top club competition.

“You dream about these kind of days when you are a kid and so to live it is a unique, special experience,” said Boca midfielder Ezequiel Fernandez.

“It’s history but we know how big we are, how great we are but it is still a dream,” he added.

Fluminense beat Internacional 2-1 on Wednesday to book their place in the November 4 final, which will be held at their home venue, the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro.

Boca grabbed the lead in the 23rd minute with a goal created by two Uruguayans — Miguel Merentiel did well down the left flank, bustling past Gustavo Gomez and putting in a low ball which veteran striker Cavani slid in from a yard out.

Valentin Barco then tested Palmeiras keeper Weverton with a low drive from 25 yards through a crowded penalty area which the Brazilian keeper got down well to.

Boca’s back line was solid, frustrating Palmeiras and reducing them to trying their luck from distance.

The Sao Paulo side made a double change at the break – bringing on the highly-rated 17-year-old Endrick and 20-year-old forward Kevin to inject some pace and energy into their attack.

The move paid off with Endrick, who has an agreement to join Real Madrid when he turns 18 next July, troubling the Boca back-line with his sharp movement.

Boca keeper Sergio Romero was forced into two saves, keeping out efforts from Mayke and then Ze Rafael as the home side piled on the pressure.

But then a moment of madness from Boca’s experienced former Manchester United central defender Rojo in the 66th minute saw him sent off for a second yellow after a late, lunging challenge on Kevin.

Palmeiras smelt blood and piled forward in search of the leveller and Romero showed great reflexes to parry a firm, glancing header from Rony.

The Brazilians got their reward when Boca cleared a corner out to Joaquin Piquerez who unleashed a fierce drive from 25 yards which took a slight deflection and although Romero got a hand on the shot it whistled into the net.