Ecuador's LDU won over Brazil's Fluminense to claim the Libertadores Cup on penalties in front of almost 79,000 Brazilian fans despite losing the second leg of the final 3-1 on Wednesday.
It was the first time an Ecuadorian team won the most important competition in South America.
With the stadium packed, Fluminense and LDU started an electrifying game with many goals and controversial moments. The Brazilian team had to overcome a two-goal disadvantage, and needed to win by a margin of three goals to win the Cup title.
But it was LDU that made the first goal, but five minutes later, midfielder Thiago Neves, in one of his best performances in the season, tied for Fluminense.
The Brazilian team got the upper hand when Neves received a pass from Cicero and scored again, leaving his team in a better position, 2-1.
Still in the first half, Fluminense's players complained about two penalties that Argentine referee Hector Baldassi did not award.
The second half started with Fluminense needing only one goal to tie in aggregate goals and take the game to extra time. Neves scored for the third time, but after that the team missed several shots and was not able to secure the Cup title in the normal time.
In extra time, LDU scored once, but the referee wrongfully disallowed the goal. Fluminense's captain Luiz Alberto was expelled at the end of the extra time, and as the tie in aggregategoals persisted, a penalty shootout started.
LDU's goalkeeper Cevallos caught three of four Fluminense's penalty shoots and secured the title for his team. LDU won the penalty shootout 3-1.
Source: xinhua
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