Palmeiras crowned Copa Libertadores champions after last-minute header

Beno Lopes scored in the ninth minute of injury time to crown Brazilian side Palmeiras champions of South America at the expense of Santos. The Copa Libertadores final, played under sweltering conditions at the Maracanã, was originally scheduled to be played on 21 November but was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Despite a groundswell of excitement before kick-off, the first half was a drab affair, devoid of goalmouth action.

Both teams approached the final with an uncharacteristically conservative mantra, prioritising solidity in defence over fluidity in attack.

Santos edged the opening exchanges but neither side can claim to have dominated the tie.

The attacking talent of Soteldo, Menino and Jorge was conspicuous in its absence

The best chance of the first half fell to Paraguayan centre back Gustavo Gomes, although his header failed to test Santos goalkeeper John.

The attacking talent of Yeferson Soteldo, Gabriel Menino, and Kaio Jorge was conspicuous in its absence. None of the players expected to make blockbuster moves to Europe had a night to remember.

With both sides’ creative outlets subdued, a winning goal had to be found from an unlikely source in an unseemly moment.

The second half was halted after an argument broke out between Santos head coach Cuca and Palmeiras right-back Marcos Rocha. The delay led to ten minutes of added time, which ultimately yielded the game’s only goal.

In the 99^th minute of the match, Roni swung a hopeful cross into the penalty area from ten yards inside Santos’ half. As the ball travelled, Breno Lopes peeled away from his marker and leapt to meet the cross on the edge of the six-yard box.

The Brazilian forward directed his header back across the goal and removed his shirt in celebration as the ball nestled in the net. Lopes only joined Palmeiras from second division side Juventude in November, making his last-minute salvo all the more remarkable.

The 30-year-old’s late winner means Palmeiras will represent South America at the upcoming Club World Cup in Qatar.

The Verdão will face Mexican side Tigres or South Korea’s Ulsan in next Sunday’s semi-final.