Liga Deportiva Universitaria, the modest team from Quito, marched on little by little in this tournament and finished celebrating at Maracana, in that stadium where Fluminense were unbeatable, but soccer is this way and penalties allowed Jose Cevallos and co. celebrate.
And it was the goalkeeper the great hero of the night. It’s true he did have something to do with Fluminense’s goals, but now it is unimportant. The Ecuadorian saved three of the four penalties he faced and allowed Liga to take their first Copa Libertadores in history.
The 120 minutes were really tough for the visitors. Though they took the lead through Bolaños, the Brazilians exploit all their strength and offensive weight: in the first half, the match was 2-1 and still there were 45 minutes left. Early in the second half, Thiago Neves scored his third goal in a row and it seemed the Copa would stay in Brazil.
But in front were Liga, destroyers of important teams such as Estudiantes, San Lorenzo (both of Argentina), America (Mexico)… That’s why this title is not just a gift, the Ecuadorians really deserve this win. Those lethal 30 minutes separating from penalties were played under pressure, uncertain, because even Bieler scored a header, but the goal was disallowed for an inexistent offside.
Ecuadorians burst into tears when the last penalty shot by Washington was saved by Cevallos. Also Edgardo Bauza, the Argentine coach, made a dream come true for Ecuador, who topped America with Liga, with Cevallos, with the runs of Guerrona, with the experience of Urrutia, with the quality of Manso. With the whole squad, who really deserves this celebration. In December kicks off the Club World Cup, but still there is time to think about that. Now it’s time to celebrate.
|
 |
| Ecuador celebrate thanks to Liga. |
|
Videos
Photo Gallery: July 3 in Pictures