Cinderella stories do happen as Liga of Quito beats all the odds to become Champions of the Copa Libertadores, South America’s premiere tournament.
Thiago Neves scored a hat trick, to give Fluminense a 3-1 victory, but that proved only enough to tie the global score since Liga had won the first game in Quito last week by 4-2.
Liga struck first early in the first half when Joffre Guerron sent a center to Luis Bolaños who scored and shocked all of Brazil. The almost 100,000 people in the Maracana went silent as their team now needed to score 3 goals just to tie the game. It was all prayers and tears in the stands and soon things would turn in Fluminenses favor.
Liga was not able to celebrate their goal for long when an inspired Thiago Neves scored 3 times in different ways. First a shot from outside the area in the 11th minute made the stands begin to dream. On the 28th minute a center from Cicero was met by Neves to make it 2-1.
The 2nd half brought more emotions, Thiago Neves shot a free kick from out of the area that tied the series 5-5 with almost 30 minutes left to play. Liga defended and countered for the rest of the half as time ran out and they went to extra time. Just as time was running out in the extra time Ref Hector Baldassi disallowed a goal from Liga claiming Claudio Bieler was off sides. It would go to penalties!
The hero of the night was Ecuadorian keeper Jose Cevallos who only allowed 1 goal from the penalty spot and blocked efforts by Dario Conca, Henrique and sealed the game stopping Thiago Neves.
The Maracana of Rio quickly emptied as controversial Conmebol Presidente Nicolas Leoz gave the Copa to Captain Patricio Urrutia. No one believed a small team from Ecuador could win the title. Even the confetti that came out as the celebration took place was in Fluminense colors.
Now Liga will meet Manchester United champion of Europe and Mexico’s Pachuca in the Club World Cup to take place in December.