River Plate claim Copa Libertadores glory over Boca Juniors in Madrid

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

Boca scored just before halftime through Dario Benedetto but Lucas Pratto equalised for River midway through the second half to force the match into extra-time, reports Reuters.

Boca’s Wilmar Barrios was sent off a minute into extra-time and substitute Juan Fernando Quintero put River ahead in the 108th minute before Gonzalo Martinez made it 3-1 in the final seconds of the match.

River won 5-3 on aggregate.

Argentina’s two biggest club drew the first leg 2-2 on November 11 but the second leg at River’s Monumental stadium two weeks later was called off when Boca players were injured after River fans attacked their team coach.  The game was then moved 10,000 kilometres away - from River’s Monumental stadium to Madrid

The result means that River will represent South America in the Club World Cup that starts in the United Arab Emirates from December 12 and guarantees them bragging rights over their neighbours for many years to come.