13/1/2021–|Last updated: 1/13/202103:24 PM (Makkah)
The Brazilian Palmeiras team qualified for the Copa Libertadores soccer final, despite losing to Argentine River Plate 0-2 on Tuesday evening (Wednesday morning GMT) in the second leg of the semi-finals of the tournament.
Palmeiras booked his place in the final by winning 3-2 on aggregate after beating River Plate 3-0 back home.
River Plate ended the first half in favor of two clean goals scored by Roberto Rojas and Rafael Santos Bori in the 29th and 44th minutes.
In the second half, River Plate failed to consolidate its lead with other goals in light of the numerical shortage in its ranks, after Roberto Rojas was sent off in the 73rd minute for receiving the second warning in the match.
⚽️🥅 Robert Rojas header restores hope for River Plate to narrow the gap with his host Palmeiras#Cuba_Libertadores pic.twitter.com/U9dWUAc1sT
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) January 13, 2021
Palmeiras will return to the final of the tournament for the first time in 21 years.
During the match, the referee canceled a third goal for River Plate as well as canceled a penalty kick for the team after reviewing the Video Assistant Referee (FAR) system.
VAAAAAAAAMOS! 4#NextGym #PALxRIV # AlmaECoração pic.twitter.com/u2JYsUZLsW
– SE Palmeiras (from 😷) (@Palmeiras) January 13, 2021
Palmeiras will meet in the final of the tournament with the winner of the confrontation between the Brazilian Santos and Boca Juniors of Argentina, who meet this evening Wednesday (tomorrow morning, Thursday GMT) in the second leg of the semi-finals.
The first leg between them ended in a goalless draw at Boca Juniors Stadium.
The final match of the tournament will be held on January 30th at the ancient Maracana stadium in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, with the absence of fans in light of the continuing Corona crisis.
The winner of this match will qualify for the Club World Cup, which Qatar will host on February 1 to the 11th of the same month.
The tournament resumed its activity last September after a hiatus of about 6 months due to the Corona pandemic.
