Copa Libertadores Titles

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Lore & Background

The road to the 2018 final was paved with decades of intense rivalry. Prior to this historic decider, Boca Juniors and River Plate had met 24 times in the Copa Libertadores but never in a title match. Boca held a narrow historical edge with ten wins to River's seven. Their encounters ranged from group stage clashes dating back to 1966 to controversial knockout ties, including a 2004 semi-final decided on penalties and a 2015 round of 16 where River was awarded the tie after Boca fans attacked them with pepper spray. The 2018 final became the first Superclásico played in an international competition's decider. Tensions peaked before the second leg when Boca's team bus was besieged by projectiles and tear gas en route to the Estadio Monumental, injuring players and forcing a postponement. CONMEBOL subsequently moved the match to the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid on 9 December 2018. In this neutral venue, River Plate overcame the chaos of the preceding events to claim their fourth title, a victory Richard Martin of Reuters noted guaranteed them 'bragging rights over their neighbours for many years to come.'

In Their Own Story

The atmosphere surrounding the second leg was unlike any other in football history. Originally scheduled for 24 November at River's home ground, the match was halted after Boca players were injured by broken glass and pepper spray during a bus attack on their way to the stadium. After delays, clashes between fans and police, and a failed attempt to reschedule within Argentina, CONMEBOL declared the venue unsafe. On 29 November, they confirmed the move to Madrid, where Real Madrid offered the Santiago Bernabéu free of charge to support Spain's 2030 World Cup bid. The first leg at La Bombonera had ended in a 2–2 draw after Carlos Izquierdoz scored an own goal for River late in the game. In Madrid, River Plate secured their fourth title with a 5–3 aggregate victory. The event was dubbed the 'final of the century' and 'the final to end all finals,' marking the last two-legged final before CONMEBOL switched to single-match deciders in 2019.

Reader's Guide

The Copa Libertadores is South America's premier club tournament, organized by CONMEBOL. The 2018 victory was particularly unique: it was the first all-Argentine final and the only time both finalists represented the same country other than Brazil (which met in 2005 and 2006). As of 2025, this remains the last final without a Brazilian team and the last not won by a Brazilian club. Winners qualify for the FIFA Club World Cup; River entered the semi-finals in the UAE in 2018. They also earned a spot in the 2019 Recopa Sudamericana against the Copa Sudamericana winner and automatically qualified for the group stage of the 2019 Copa Libertadores.

Did You Know?

• The 2018 final was the first and only time a Copa Libertadores second leg was played outside South America, held at Madrid's Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.
• As of 2025, the 2018 final remains the last time a Brazilian team did not feature in the Copa Libertadores final or win the tournament.
• The first leg at La Bombonera was postponed less than two hours before kickoff due to local flooding that left the pitch waterlogged.
• River Plate's victory margin was 5–3 on aggregate, securing their fourth continental title.
• This was the last Copa Libertadores final played over two legs; starting in 2019, finals became single-match deciders.

The Unprecedented Madrid Final

The 2018 final broke every logistical norm of the tournament. After the Boca Juniors team bus was attacked prior to the scheduled second leg at the Estadio Monumental, CONMEBOL moved the match outside South America for safety reasons. This marked the first and only time a Copa Libertadores final leg was held outside the Americas, taking place at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid on 9 December 2018. Real Madrid offered the venue free of charge to boost their 2030 World Cup bid. The relocation resulted in what is known as the 'Madrid Final' or 'Final del 9 de diciembre.' It was also the last two-legged final, as CONMEBOL shifted to a single-match format starting in 2019.

A Historic All-Argentine Decider

The 2018 matchup between Boca Juniors and River Plate was unprecedented. It was the first Superclásico contested in a Copa Libertadores final and the only time two clubs from the same city met for the title. While Brazilian teams had faced each other in 2005 and 2006, this was the first all-Argentine final. As of 2026, it remains the only Superclásico final in an international competition. The press labeled it 'the most important final in Argentina's football history.' Before the final, the clubs had met 24 times in the tournament but never for a title. This unique decider featured intense rivalry, with past encounters including disqualifications and fan violence, culminating in a match where River Plate secured their fourth title.

Road to Glory and Aggregate Victory

River Plate won the final 5–3 on aggregate. The first leg at La Bombonera (capacity 54,525) ended 2–2 after a late own goal by Carlos Izquierdoz. The second leg, played in Madrid with a capacity of 81,044, saw River complete the comeback. As champions, River qualified for the semi-finals of the 2018 FIFA Club World Cup in the United Arab Emirates and the 2019 Recopa Sudamericana against the Copa Sudamericana winner. They also automatically entered the group stage of the 2019 Copa Libertadores.

Legacy of Intensity and Rivalry

The 2018 final is remembered as 'the final to end all finals' and the 'final of the century.' The intense rivalry was highlighted by the bus attack on Boca Juniors, where multiple windows were broken and pepper spray entered the cabin. River Plate was fined $400,000 and ordered to play two home games behind closed doors for their role in the security failure. Former striker Gabriel Batistuta called the attacks 'shameful.' The match is also known by dates like 9/12 or 912. Richard Martin of Reuters stated that River's win guaranteed them bragging rights over Boca for many years.