Central & South America

Thanks to River Plate’s stirring comeback against Gremio and Boca Juniors taking care of business against Palmeiras, the world was granted the spectacle it craved — the first-ever Copa Libertadores final meeting between Argentina’s eternal Superclásico rivals.

After losing the home leg of its Copa Libertadores semifinal against Grêmio 1-0 in Buenos Aires, River Plate pulled off a shocking 2-1 reverse scoreline in Porto Alegre on Tuesday night to advance to the final of South America’s premier club competition on away goals. For River Plate, the late dramatics were pure delirium; for Grêmio, it was the cruelest of defeats.

Everything started brilliantly for the Brazilian club. In the 36th minute, Léo Gomes gave his side a 2-0 aggregate lead with a nicely taken half-volley from outside the 18. Arena do Grêmio lost it. 

When’s the last time you thought about Alexandre Pato? 

Was it when you were walking your dog and he started pulling on the leash, trying to get after a cacophonous flock of ducks, and you mused: “Silly dog, you’ll never catch those patos, just like Barcelona was never going to catch Pato . . . I have a problem.”