Palmeiras 0-2 River Plate (3-2 agg): Comeback falls just short in semi-final thriller

Palmeiras reached their first Copa Libertadores last since 2000 after edging River Plate regardless of an exciting second-leg loss on Tuesday.

First-half targets from Robert Rojas and Rafael Santos Borre had River on observe to sensationally overturn a 3-0 deficit within the semi-finals in Sao Paulo.

Champions in 2018, River had a objective dominated out early within the second half and a penalty name overturned after Rojas’ crimson card, Palmeiras holding on for a 3-2 mixture victory.

River discovered their manner again into the tie earlier than half-time.

Rojas produced a superb header from a Nicolas De La Cruz nook earlier than Borre nodded in a Matias Suarez cross within the forty fourth minute.

¡La secuencia del gol de @RafaelBorre_ para @riverplate en la CONMEBOL #Libertadores!#GloriaEterna pic.twitter.com/CwDe3cQlwN

— CONMEBOL Libertadores (@Libertadores) January 13, 2021

River thought they’d levelled the tie within the 52nd minute, however Gonzalo Montiel’s volley was dominated out for offside following a VAR verify.

There was extra drama to observe.

Rojas was despatched off within the 73rd minute after being proven a second yellow card.

However River have been awarded a penalty simply two minutes later for a problem by Alan Empereur on Suarez, just for the choice to be overturned following a VAR verify.

There was one other verify for a penalty for River within the one centesimal minute, however Palmeiras held on to maneuver into the ultimate in opposition to both Santos or Boca Juniors.