2008 Copa Libertadores Finals

2008 Copa Libertadores Finals
Event 2008 Copa Santander Libertadores de América
LDU Quito won the penalty shootout 3–1
First leg
Date June 25, 2008
Venue Estadio Casa Blanca, Quito
Referee Carlos Chandía
Attendance 62,262
Second leg
Date July 2, 2008
Venue Estádio Mario Filho (Maracanã), Rio de Janeiro
Man of the Match José Francisco Cevallos
Referee Héctor Baldassi
Attendance 86,027
2007
2009

The 2008 Copa Libertadores Finals was a two-legged football match-up to determine the 2008 Copa Libertadores champion. The series was contested between Liga Deportiva Universitaria de Quito from Quito, Ecuador, and Fluminense Football Club from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, both of whom were playing in their first finals. The first leg was played at LDU Quito's home field, La Casa Blanca in Quito, Ecuador on June 25, 2008; the second leg was played at Fluminense's home field, Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on July 2, 2008. LDU Quito won the final on penalties 3–1, after each team won a game apiece, and eqaulized on goal difference after the end of extra-time of the second leg.

Contents

Finals rules

Like other match-ups in the knockout round, the teams will play two games, one at each team's home stadium. As the highest seeded team determined at the beginning of the knockout stage, Fluminense had home-field advantage for the second leg. Unlike other Copa Libertadores match-ups in the knockout round, the away goals rule is not used. If the teams remained tied after 90 minutes of play during the 2nd leg, extra time will be used, followed by a penalty shootout if necessary.

Route to the finals

Group 8 of the Second Stage

Final Group 8 standings
Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
Fluminense 6 4 1 1 11 3 +8 13
LDU Quito 6 3 1 2 10 5 +5 10
Arsenal 6 3 0 3 6 14 −8 9
Libertad 6 1 0 5 5 10 −5 3

Fluminense and LDU Quito both started in the Second Stage and were drawn into Group 8 along with Arsenal of Argentina and Libertad of Paraguay. Their first match was against each other in La Casa Blanca in Quito. The game ended in a goal-less draw.

LDU Quito then hosted Libertad on March 4. Patricio Urrutia and Joffre Guerrón scored for LDU Quito to give them a 2–0 win. They then visited Arsenal in Buenos Aires on March 12. Patricio Urrutia scored the loan goal of the game. The roles were reversed as LDU Quito hosted Arsenal on March 26. Liga walloped Arsenal 6–1 with goals by Patricio Urrutia, Damián Manso, Luis Bolaños (2), Claudio Bieler, and Alfonso Obregón; Luciano Leguizamón scored for Arsenal. On April 8, Liga travelled to Asuncion to play Libertad, where they lost 3–1. Alfonso Obregón scored the lone goal for Liga.

After the first game against Liga, Fluminense hosted Arsenal on March 5. The drubbing ended 6–0 in favor of Flu. Thiago Neves, Dodô (2), Gabriel, Washington, and Cícero provided the socres. Flu then travlled to Asuncion to face Libertad on March 19. Washington scored twice to give Flu a 2–1 win. Flu then played host for Libertad in a game that ended in a 2–0 win for Fluminense. Cícero and Thiago Silva provided the scores. Fluminense then travlled to Buenos Aires to play Arsenal on April 8. They were beat 2–0.

The last match of group play for LDU Quito and Fluminense was against each other on April 17. Cícero scored the only goal of the game to give Fluminense a 1–0 win. The win gave Fluminense the group. Fluminense and LDU Quito finished 1 & 2 with 13 and 10 points, respectively, and each advanced to the Round of 16 as the 1st and 11th seed.

Fluminense in the knockout stage

Fluminense was seeded 1 for the knockout stage, guaranteeing home field advantage for the second leg of any series. In the round of 16, they faced Atlético Nacional of Colombia, whom they defeated on aggregate 3-1 (2-1 & 1-0). In the quarter-finals, they faced fellow Brazilian side São Paulo. They won on aggregate 3-2 (0-1 & 3-1). In the semi-finals, they face defending Copa Libertadores champions Boca Juniors. After tying 2-2 on the first leg, the won 3-1 in the second leg to advance to their first Copa Libertadores finals.

LDU Quito in the knockout stage

LDU Quito was seeded 12 for the knockout stage. In the Round of 16, they faced Estudiantes, whom they beat on aggregate 3-2 (2-0 & 1-2) to advance. They faced another Argentine team, San Lorenzo in the quarter-finals. After tying 1-1 in both legs, the teams went into penalties, where LDU Quito triumphed 5-3. In the semi-finals, they faced Club América of Mexico. They tied both legs 1-1 in Mexico City and 0-0 in Quito. Since LDU Quito scored an away goal, they won the series and advanced to their first Copa Libertadores finals.


Fluminense LDU Quito
Atlético Nacional
A
2–1
Thiago Neves 22'
Conca 76'
Round of 16
First leg
Estudiantes
H
2–0
Guerrón 64'
Manso 78'
Atlético Nacional
H
1–0
Roger 52' Second leg Estudiantes
A
1–2
Bolaños 26'
São Paulo
A
0–1
Quarterfinals
First leg
San Lorenzo
A
1–1
Bieler 35'
São Paulo
H
3–1
Washington 11', 90+1'
Dodô 71'
Second leg San Lorenzo
H
1–1
(p. 5–3)
Manso 26'
Boca Juniors
A
2–2
Thiago Silva 16'
Thiago Neves 76'
Semifinals
First leg
América
A
1–1
Bolaños 62'
Boca Juniors
H
3–1
Washington 63'
Ibarra 71' (o.g.)
Dodô 90+3'
Second leg América
H
0–0

Finals summary

First leg

The First Leg was played in front of a capacity crowd at Estadio Casa Blanca in Quito. Claudio Bieler of LDU Quito scored first in the 2nd minute, but Fluminense answered back with a goal by Darío Conca in the 12th minute. LDU Quito scored three unanswered goals by the end of the half with goals by Joffre Guerrón (29'), Jairo Campos (34'), and Patricio Urrutia (45'). Thiago Neves scored again for Fluminenese with the only goal of the second half at the 52nd minute. The final score left LDU Quito with a 2-goal advantage going into the next leg.

June 25, 2008
19:50 (UTC-5)
LDU Quito 4 – 2 Fluminense Estadio Casa Blanca, Quito
Attendance: 55,359
Referee: Carlos Chandía (Chile)
Bieler  2'
Guerrón  29'
Campos  34'
Urrutia  45'
Report Conca  12'
Thiago Neves  52'
LDU Quito
Fluminense
LDU QUITO:
GK 1 José Francisco Cevallos
DF 3 Renán Calle
DF 2 Norberto Araujo 61'
DF 23 Jairo Campos
FW 19 Joffre Guerrón
MF 20 Enrique Vera 22'
MF 8 Patricio Urrutia (c) 88'
DF 4 Paúl Ambrosi
MF 7 Luis Bolaños
MF 21 Damián Manso 74'
FW 16 Claudio Bieler 41' 82'
Substitutes:
GK 25 Daniel Viteri
FW 9 Agustín Delgado 82'
MF 5 Alfonso Obregón
MF 14 Diego Calderón
FW 11 Franklin Salas
MF 15 William Araujo 74'
MF 22 Edder Vaca
Manager:
Edgardo Bauza
FLUMINENSE:
GK 1 Fernando Henrique
DF 2 Gabriel
DF 3 Thiago Silva
DF 4 Luiz Alberto (c) 28'
DF 6 Júnior César
MF 5 Ygor 43'
MF 8 Arouca 67'
MF 17 Cícero
MF 18 Darío Conca
MF 10 Thiago Neves 90'
FW 9 Washington 68' 72'
Substitutes:
GK 12 Diego
DF 13 Roger 90'
FW 11 Dodô 72'
MF 14 Fabinho
MF 15 Maurício 67'
FW 23 Alan
FW 24 Tartá
Manager:
Renato Portaluppi

Assistant referees:
Cristian Julio
Lorenzo Acuña
Fourth official:
Enrique Osses

Second leg

The Second Leg was played in front of a capacity crowd at the legendary Maracanã in a game that would crown the South American champions. Luis Bolaños of LDU Quito scored first in the 6th minute to put LDU Quito up 1–0 in the game, and a three-goal advantage. Fluminense answered back with a hat-trick by Thiago Neves who scored goals in the 12th, 28th, and 56th minute. The score at the end of regulation was 3–1, leaving both teams equal on goal difference; extra-time was needed. After a scoreless extra-time, the game went on to a penalty shootout. LDU Quito goalkeeper José Francisco Cevallos blocked three of four penalty kicks, while his teammates put in three of four to give LDU Quito the win, and their first Copa Libertadores title.

July 2, 2008
21:50 (UTC-3)
Fluminense 3 – 1 (a.e.t.) LDU Quito Estádio Mario Filho (Maracanã), Rio de Janeiro
Attendance: 86,027
Referee: Héctor Baldassi (Argentina)
Thiago Neves  12'28'56' Report Bolaños  6'
  Penalties  
Conca
Thiago Neves
Cícero
Washington
1 – 3 Urrutia
Campos
Salas
Guerrón
Fluminense
LDU Quito
FLUMINENSE:
GK 1 Fernando Henrique
DF 2 Gabriel 105'
DF 3 Thiago Silva 106'
DF 4 Luiz Alberto (c)  65', 120'
DF 6 Júnior César
MF 5 Ygor 46'
MF 8 Arouca 110'
MF 17 Cícero 87'
MF 18 Darío Conca
MF 10 Thiago Neves
FW 9 Washington
Substitutes:
GK 12 Berna
FW 7 Somália
FW 11 Dodô 46'
DF 13 Roger 110'
MF 14 Fabinho
MF 15 Maurício 105'
FW 24 Tartá
Manager:
Renato Gaúcho
LDU QUITO:
GK 1 José Francisco Cevallos 118'
DF 23 Jairo Campos
DF 3 Renán Calle
DF 2 Norberto Araujo
DF 4 Paúl Ambrosi
FW 19 Joffre Guerrón 120'
MF 20 Enrique Vera 62'
MF 8 Patricio Urrutia (c)
MF 7 Luis Bolaños 105'
MF 21 Damián Manso 88'
FW 16 Claudio Bieler 31'
Substitutes:
GK 25 Daniel Viteri
MF 14 Diego Calderón
MF 5 Alfonso Obregón
FW 9 Agustín Delgado
DF 18 Byron Camacho
MF 15 William Araujo 88'
FW 11 Franklin Salas 105'
Manager:
Edgardo Bauza

Man of the Match:
José Francisco Cevallos

Assistant referees:
Ricardo Casas
Hernán Maidana
Fourth official:
Saúl Laverni

Aftermath

Prior to the matches, Fluminense was favored to win since they had eliminated the defending champion (Boca Juniors) in the semifinals, and defeated LDU Quito in an earlier encounter at Maracanã. Following the surprise loss in Quito, pressure was on Fluminense to win at home. When LDU Quito sealed the deal at Maracanã, the media dubbed the match a "Maracanazo", a slang term in Latin American football given to a game at Maracanã where the underdog team upsets the hosts. As the hosts were expected to win, that the celebratory confetti for the award presentation was in Fluminense's color.

LDU Quito had won their first Copa Libertadores title, becoming the first Ecuadorian team to do so. The title is also the first international title ever won by a team from Ecuador. LDU Quito captain Patricio Urrutia was named player of the finals, and Joffre Guerrón was named player of the tournament. By winning the tournament, LDU Quito won the right to represent South American in the 2008 FIFA Club World Cup, for which they qualify directly to the semi-finals. LDU Quito winning the Copa Libertadores was called historic by major newspapers that followed the competition, and won praise throughout the continent.

Throughout the tournament, the team and its player gained wide support from across Ecuador, not just by their typical fan-base in Quito. Following the win, they were publicly applauded by every sector of Ecuadorian society and government, and were treated as heroes upon their return to the country.

Currently, this year's finals hold or shares two Copa Libertadores Finals records: most goals in a single game (6) for Game 1; most goals in two legs (10).

External links