Copa Libertadores final 2018 result: River Plate beat Boca Juniors in extra time after dramatic second leg

River Plate beat Argentine rivals Boca Juniors 3-1 after extra-time to win the Copa Libertadores on Sunday in a match that was finally played in Madrid after twice being postponed because of violence at the final's second leg in Buenos Aires.

River won 5-3 on aggregate.

Re-live all our coverage below.

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The teams

• Boca Juniors: Andrada; Buffarini, Izquierdoz, Magallán, Olaza; Nández, Barrios, Pablo Pérez, Villa; Pavón, Benedetto.

• River Plate: Armani; Maidana, Montiel, Pinola, Casco; Ponzio, Enzo Pérez, Fernández; Martínez, Pratto, Palacios.

Show latest update

2018-12-09T18:37:58.903Z

Good evening and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of tonight's long awaited Copa Libertadores final second leg between River Plate and Boca Juniors.

 

Kick off is at 19:30, and we'll have all the team news shortly.

• Callum Rice-Coates
• 9 December 2018 18:37

2018-12-09T18:40:57.360Z

Here are the teams for tonight's game at the Bernabeu:

 

• Callum Rice-Coates
• 9 December 2018 18:40

2018-12-09T18:46:40.020Z

After two postponements, after the violence and drama in Buenos Aires, the Copa Libertadores will finally reach its conclusion tonight. For both clubs, it will take place thousands of miles away from home, on another continent.

 

Events off the pitch have, understandably, overshadowed the football, and that is likely to continue. But tonight, for 90 minutes at least, the focus will be on which of these Argentine giants lifts South America's most prestigious trophy.

 

It's level at 2-2 from the first leg. All to play for, then.

 

 

• Callum Rice-Coates
• 9 December 2018 18:46

2018-12-09T18:50:06.500Z

Carlos Tevez starts on the bench for Boca tonight, but expect him to be introduced at some point. And expect him to make an impact when he does. This game means a lot to the former Manchester United and Manchester City striker.

 

Here's some pre-match reading from Miguel Delaney on Tevez:

 

Victory for Carlos Tevez with Boca Juniors will crown one of football's most storied careers

• Callum Rice-Coates
• 9 December 2018 18:50

2018-12-09T18:57:52.773Z

And here's Miguel Delaney on the events that led to this game being played in Madrid, not Buenos Aires:

 

'Copa Conquistadores' final in Madrid sets a worrying precedent

• Callum Rice-Coates
• 9 December 2018 18:57

2018-12-09T19:00:59.330Z

The distance hasn't deterred the vociferous fans of both River and Boca. They're in Madrid in their numbers, as colourful and noisy as ever. 

• Callum Rice-Coates
• 9 December 2018 19:00

2018-12-09T19:05:49.010Z

• Callum Rice-Coates
• 9 December 2018 19:05

2018-12-09T19:17:58.716Z

There's a big security presence around the Bernabeu tonight. No chances are being taken. Thankfully, things have gone smoothly so far. Just under 15 minutes until kick off now, so we can safely assume that a third postponement isn't going to happen.

• Callum Rice-Coates
• 9 December 2018 19:17

2018-12-09T19:27:34.743Z

The players are out. The atmosphere is building. Just enough time for the rousing Argentine national anthem before kick off.

• Callum Rice-Coates
• 9 December 2018 19:27

KICK OFF

2018-12-09T19:31:04.093Z

It seemed like it might never happen, but River Plate, finally, get things underway in the second leg of the Copa Libertadores final.

• Callum Rice-Coates
• 9 December 2018 19:31

2018-12-09T19:33:03.863Z

River Plate 0-0 Boca Juniors

 

2 minutes

 

Boca's Pablo Perez goes down after a late challenge and rolls around clutching his ankle. The first of probably many full-blooded tackles.

• Callum Rice-Coates
• 9 December 2018 19:33

2018-12-09T19:35:28.053Z

River Plate 0-0 Boca Juniors

 

4 minutes

 

River break forward and win a free kick around 20 yards out. It's floated in but Izquierdoz clears and nothing comes of the resulting corner.

• Callum Rice-Coates
• 9 December 2018 19:35

2018-12-09T19:39:24.016Z

River Plate 0-0 Boca Juniors

 

8 minutes

 

It's all a little cagey, a little disjointed so far. Boca captain Pablo Perez is fortunate not to have been booked for a late challenge. 

• Callum Rice-Coates
• 9 December 2018 19:39

2018-12-09T19:42:30.573Z

River Plate 0-0 Boca Juniors

 

11 minutes

 

Two big chances for Boca. Olaza whips in a cross, which causes all sorts of problems for Maidana. The centre back swings at it and nearly deflects the ball into his own net. From the corner, Perez hits a shot straight at the goalkeeper having found space at the back post.

• Callum Rice-Coates
• 9 December 2018 19:42

2018-12-09T19:47:15.620Z

River Plate 0-0 Boca Juniors

 

15 minutes

 

River have enjoyed more possession, particularly in the last few minutes, but Boca look dangerous when they break. It feels very much like a game that will be decided on fine margins.

• Callum Rice-Coates
• 9 December 2018 19:47

2018-12-09T19:50:40.126Z

River Plate 0-0 Boca Juniors

 

20 minutes

 

River win a corner, which is inventively pulled back to Fernandez. He hits it first time but gets it wrong and balloons it over the bar.

• Callum Rice-Coates
• 9 December 2018 19:50

2018-12-09T19:52:59.546Z

River Plate 0-0 Boca Juniors

 

22 minutes

 

A Boca free kick causes problems at the back. It's only half cleared and the ball comes back into the box. Perez then swings in a corner, which is headed wide by Magallan.

• Callum Rice-Coates
• 9 December 2018 19:52

2018-12-09T19:54:27.186Z

River Plate 0-0 Boca Juniors

 

24 minutes

 

Villa drives down the left and wins another free kick. This time, it's a poor delivery, too long for everyone in a blue shirt.

• Callum Rice-Coates
• 9 December 2018 19:54

YELLOW CARD

2018-12-09T19:58:31.700Z

River Plate 0-0 Boca Juniors

 

27 minutes 

 

River's Ponzio is in the book for a foul on Nandez right on the edge of the box. Boca are putting some pressure on now, winning several free kicks in dangerous positions.

• Callum Rice-Coates
• 9 December 2018 19:59

2018-12-09T20:01:53.836Z

River Plate 0-0 Boca Juniors

 

29 minutes

 

So close! The free kick, eventually taken after a long delay, is blocked by the wall. But it falls to Perez, whose shot is turned away by an excellent block on the line.

 

 

• Callum Rice-Coates
• 9 December 2018 20:02

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Next

Match preview

What time does it start?

River Plate vs Boca Juniors kicks off at 7:30pm (GMT)

Where can I watch it?

The match will be shown live on BT Sport 1 from 7:15pm. BT Sport subscribers will also be able to stream the game via the online video player and the BT Sport app.

Highlights will be shown at 10:30am on Monday on BT Sport 2.

Player to watch…

Dario Benedetto: The 28-year-old was Boca Juniors’ main threat in the first leg after coming off the bench and popped up with the goal in added at time at the end of the first half to put the hosts back ahead. The striker may have missed a golden opportunity to win the game in stoppage time, but he will hope to put that behind him at the Bernabeu having successfully come back from injury.

Form guide…

River Plate: WWLDLW

Boca Juniors : LDWDWW

Odds…

River Plate to win: 31/20

Boca Juniors to win: 2/1

Draw: 7/4