Sergio Romero Saves the Day for Boca Juniors in Copa Libertadores Semi-Final Penalty Shootout Victory
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Goalkeeper Sergio Romero was the hero for Boca Juniors in their Copa Libertadores semi-final penalty shootout victory over Palmeiras on Wednesday night, sending the Argentine club through to the final of South America’s elite club competition for the first time in seven years.
Romero, formerly of Manchester United, produced two saves in the shootout as Boca prevailed 4-2 to set up a final against Brazilian club Fluminense on 4 November at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro.
## Edinson Cavani Gives Boca Early Lead
Edinson Cavani gave Argentine club Boca a first-half lead but, after defender Marcos Rojo was sent off, Joaquin Piquerez equalised in Sao Paulo to take the game to penalties and set up a dramatic finale.
Cavani, who like Romero and Rojo also spent time in the Premier League with Manchester United, converted from close range after 23 minutes to give Boca the advantage going into the second half of the semi-final tie.
## Marcos Rojo Sent Off
However, former Argentina international Rojo was dismissed after receiving a second yellow card for a late challenge, leaving Boca with ten men for the remainder of the game and giving Palmeiras the impetus to push for an equaliser which eventually came through Piquerez’ deflected shot from 25 yards which ended Romero’s resistance in goal.
## Sergio Romero Saves the Day
But after Cavani missed Boca’s opening penalty, Romero saved Palmeiras’ first two efforts to help send his side through to the final and give them the chance to match Independiente’s record of seven Copa Libertadores titles.
“I’m 36 years old – an age when I like to have fun, and for me penalties are fun,” said Romero after the game, reflecting on his heroics in goal which saw him save three of the four penalties he faced in the shootout.
Boca have now won three successive penalty shootouts to reach the final, beating compatriots Racing Club and Uruguayan outfit Nacional in the two previous rounds, and midfielder Ezequiel Fernandez was delighted with his side’s achievement:
“You dream about these kind of days when you are a kid and so to live it is a unique, special experience,” he said. “It’s history but we know how big we are, how great we are, but it is still a dream.”
The final will be held at the Brazilian club’s home venue, the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro, and will see Fluminense aim to win South America’s elite club competition for the first time when they face Boca on 4 November.