Copa Libertadores Final: Boca face River – Away Fans not Allowed
The first leg of one of the most important matches in South American Football ended in a 2-2 draw. Due to flooding, the game was postponed a day, which added even more to the suspense. This is the first time the “Superclasico,” or Boca Juniors vs. River Plate - arguable footballs biggest rivalry - has ever taken place in a Copa Libertadores final. Away fans are prohibited from attending both legs of the final due to the threat of violence being too high.
Copa Libertadores Final First Leg Match Sheet Click Here for Match Sheet
With this latest Copa finals appearance, Boca Juniors will gain the title of having the most appearences in history – second to them is Uruguayan club Penarol. If they win, they will tie Club Atlético Independiente with 7 titles.
The first leg took place at Boca's Bombonera. River Plate was able to come from behind twice to seal a tie. The return match will be played on November 24th. A late substitute entrance from Argentine legend, Carlos Tévez (see career stats below), gave the home fans hope for a late game winner, which never came.
In the next leg a winner has to be decided, and nothing but fierce competition is to be expected. Some key players in the match up – both with 4 goals so far in the completion - are Boca’s Darío Benedetto (who may have an even bigger role now due to the injury to Pavón) and River's Lucas Pratto.
However, the big names don’t stop there: out of the most valuable XI in the Copa Libertadores tournament 8 of the players come from one of the two sides. 6 of these from Boca and two from River. The most valuable being 22 year old Cristian Pavón, who unfortunately had to be subbed out before the half hour mark due to injury.
Copa Libertadores Most Valuable XI
- Date of birth/Age:
- Feb 5, 1984 (40)
- Nat.:
- Current club:
- Retired
- Contract until:
- -
- Position:
- Second Striker
- Market Value:
- -
- Date of birth/Age:
- Jan 21, 1996 (28)
- Nat.:
- Current club:
- Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense
- Contract until:
- Dec 31, 2026
- Position:
- Left Winger
- Market Value:
- €4.00m
- Date of birth/Age:
- May 17, 1990 (33)
- Nat.:
- Current club:
- CA Boca Juniors
- Contract until:
- Dec 31, 2024
- Position:
- Centre-Forward
- Market Value:
- €700k
- Date of birth/Age:
- Jun 4, 1988 (35)
- Nat.:
- Current club:
- Olimpia Asunción
- Contract until:
- Dec 31, 2024
- Position:
- Centre-Forward
- Market Value:
- €200k
- Date of birth/Age:
- Jun 13, 1993 (30)
- Nat.:
- Current club:
- CA River Plate
- Contract until:
- Dec 31, 2024
- Position:
- Attacking Midfield
- Market Value:
- €2.00m
- Total Market Value:
- €76.75m
- Competition:
- Copa de la Liga Profesional de Fútbol
- Position:
- 4.
- Manager:
- Diego Martínez
- Squad size:
- 31
- Latest Transfer:
- Lautaro Blanco
- Total Market Value:
- €97.55m
- Competition:
- Copa de la Liga Profesional de Fútbol
- Position:
- 1.
- Manager:
- Martín Demichelis
- Squad size:
- 29
- Latest Transfer:
- Agustín Sant'Anna