The 2018 Copa Libertadores final was controversial
The Copa Libertadores is the crown jewel of South American club football. As the 2025 final takes place at the Estadio Monumental on Saturday night, Mirror Football takes a look at one of world football’s most hotly contested trophies, and an archive of one particularly explosive night in the Argentine capital.
The second leg of the 2018 final between Boca Juniors and River Plate was widely regarded as the biggest club match in the 127-year history of Argentine football. The first leg of the Buenos Aires derby ended 2-2 at La Bombonera, Boca’s home ground, and the second leg was scheduled to be held on November 24 at River Plate’s Estadio Monumental, South America’s largest stadium.
However, the Boca team bus was attacked by River fans who threw objects at the bus windows, leaving Boca players with cuts from broken glass.
The players were also affected by tear gas used by police to disperse crowds that formed in the streets. After the kick-off time was changed twice due to the unrest, it was decided that the match would be postponed to December 9.
Boca Juniors midfielder Pablo Perez and defender Leonardo Balerdi were seen entering the stadium wearing eye patches. Former Manchester City and Manchester United star Carlos Tevez was also reportedly affected by the attack, suffering from dizziness and vomiting.
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The three-time Premier League winner said before the game was postponed: “Pablo has just come back from the hospital and has a bandage on his eye. Another team-mate has a cut as well. He’s just been able to breathe after being affected by the gas. He can’t play like this.”
The disruption led to the second leg being moved to Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu, more than 9,000 miles away from River’s grounds. Although the match is no longer being held in South America, fans from both groups were given tickets of the same price.
Horacio Rodríguez Larreta, the mayor of Buenos Aires at the time, accused River Plate hooligans, described as “the mafia of Argentine football”, of masterminding the attack. River Plate were fined £312,734 as a result of the disturbance.
The final in Madrid went into extra time after both teams ended the 90 minutes tied 1-1. It was River who had the chance with late goals from Juan Fernando Quintero and Piti Martinez, winning 3-1 on the night and clinching their fourth Copa Libertadores title with an aggregate score of 5-3.
Since this incident, the final has been played over one leg instead of two, and always at a neutral venue.
The 2025 edition of the final will be held on Saturday at the Estadio Monumental, but instead of River, it will be a match between the Brazilians Palmeiras and Flamengo.
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