The 2019 Copa Libertadores ended with the most dramatic final you can ask for. The face off between Flamengo and River Plate at the Estadio Monumental saw a 2-1 victory from the Brazilian elites, courtesy to a superb double trouble comeback from their superstar forward Gabriel Barbosa aka Gabigol. However, he was sent off before the final whistle, that too, just 6 minutes from scoring his first!
Although River Plate took the lead early in the 14th minute with a goal from Rafael Santos Borré and held it till the 88th minute, just as the stadium saw an astounding comeback from the Rubro-Negro.
Gabriel scored the equalizer in the 89th minute, and took the lead in the 92th, just before the final whistle. The Brazilian, overflowing with excitement, took of his shirt in the glorious moment.
Check out the goals below, courtesy of YouTube channel Linea Central.
However, the celebration did not please the referee as the 23 year old forward was shown the yellow in the next minute.
In an unfortunate turn of events, Gabigol was shown the red three minutes later, along with long with Exequiel Palacios of Plate, who marched off just a little earlier than the rest of the squad.
This was Flamengo’s second Copa Libertadores trophy, 38 years since their first one in 1981.