Boca Juniors 0 River Plate 2: Shock result as Argentina arch-rivals meet for first time-ever in major final


BOCA JUNIORS were stunned by their arch-rivals in their first-ever meeting in a final.

River Plate came into the Supercopa Argentina in lowly 18th place after a run of just one win in six matches had left boss Marcelo Gallardo under immense pressure.

River Plate beat Boca Juniors in first-ever meeting in final
River Plate beat Boca Juniors in first-ever meeting in final
AFP
Boca Juniors players look on in disappointment after defeat to River Plate
Boca Juniors players look on in disappointment after defeat to River Plate
Getty Images

Champions Boca, who are currently first and eight points clear of second place Talleres, were heavy favourites against last season’s cup winners.

But River goalkeeper Franco Armani was in outstanding form — and refused to be beaten.

This was the biggest meeting between the two sides since they faced off in what was effectively a play-off to decide the 1976 top-flight title, which Boca won.

River had waited a long time to get their revenge.

Gonzalo Nicolas Martinez celebrates after opening scoring against Boca Juniors
Gonzalo Nicolas Martinez celebrates after opening scoring against Boca Juniors
AFP
River Plate boss Marcelo Gallardo had been under huge pressure before this
River Plate boss Marcelo Gallardo had been under huge pressure before this
Reuters
Carlos Tevez holds of Jonathan Maidana as he tries to control football
Carlos Tevez holds of Jonathan Maidana as he tries to control football
Getty Images

Gonzalo Nicolas Martinez opened the scoring from the penalty spot on 17 minutes, following a foul by Ignacio Fernandez, but it was one way traffic for the majority of the match, with Armani equal to anything Boca could throw at him.

Carlos Tevez struggled to make enough of an impact as he was looking to win the one trophy that has so far eluded him in Argentina.

The second goal eventually came 20 minutes from time as Martinez turned provider to set up Ignacio Scocco to finish the match off.

Boca Juniors fans were hopeful their team would win Supercopa Argentina
Boca Juniors fans were hopeful their team would win Supercopa Argentina
AFP
Rivert Plate players celebrate after pulling of shock in Supercopa Argentina
River Plate players celebrate after pulling of shock in Supercopa Argentina
Getty Images
Boca Juniors fans created incredible spectacle as ever with colourful support
Boca Juniors fans created incredible spectacle as ever with colourful support
EPA
Gonzalo Nicolas Martinez opened scoring and provided assist for River Plate
Gonzalo Nicolas Martinez opened scoring and provided assist for River Plate
Reuters
Boca Juniors' Paolo Gpltz fights for ball in air with Javier Pinola and Enzo Perez
Boca Juniors’ Paolo Gpltz fights for ball in air with Javier Pinola and Enzo Perez
EPA
River Plate's Enzo Perez kisses trophy after Supercopa Argentina win
River Plate’s Enzo Perez kisses trophy after Supercopa Argentina win
Getty Images

This was only the sixth edition of the Supercopa Argentina — and the first-time either of the Buenos Aires side have won it.

Incredibly, the pair have been losing in finalists twice each in four of the five editions.

The Copa Argentina itself is only seven years old — with one edition also taking place in 1969 — and the Superclasico rivals have never met in the final before.

Boca face Atletico Tucuman on Sunday, while River host Belgrano later that day.

River Plate players celebrate in front of heavy police presence
River Plate players celebrate in front of heavy police presence
AP:Associated Press
River Plate players enjoy themselves during post-match celebrations
River Plate players enjoy themselves during post-match celebrations
EPA
Carlos Tevez removes his second place medal after defeat to River Plate
Carlos Tevez removes his second place medal after defeat to River Plate
Getty Images

Leave a comment