Copa Libertadores final 2018 result: River Plate beat Boca Juniors in extra time after dramatic second leg

Copa Libertadores final postponed after Boca bus attacked

River Plate beat Argentine rivals Boca Juniors 3-1 after extra-time to win the Copa Libertadores on Sunday in a match that was finally played in Madrid after twice being postponed because of violence at the final's second leg in Buenos Aires.

River won 5-3 on aggregate.

Re-live all our coverage below.

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Match preview

What time does it start?

River Plate vs Boca Juniors kicks off at 7:30pm (GMT)

Where can I watch it?

The match will be shown live on BT Sport 1 from 7:15pm. BT Sport subscribers will also be able to stream the game via the online video player and the BT Sport app.

Highlights will be shown at 10:30am on Monday on BT Sport 2.

Player to watch…

Dario Benedetto: The 28-year-old was Boca Juniors’ main threat in the first leg after coming off the bench and popped up with the goal in added at time at the end of the first half to put the hosts back ahead. The striker may have missed a golden opportunity to win the game in stoppage time, but he will hope to put that behind him at the Bernabeu having successfully come back from injury.

Form guide…

River Plate: WWLDLW

Boca Juniors : LDWDWW

Odds…

River Plate to win: 31/20

Boca Juniors to win: 2/1

Draw: 7/4

Key Points

• Boca Juniors: Andrada; Buffarini, Izquierdoz, Magallán, Olaza; Nández, Barrios, Pablo Pérez, Villa; Pavón, Benedetto.

• River Plate: Armani; Maidana, Montiel, Pinola, Casco; Ponzio, Enzo Pérez, Fernández; Martínez, Pratto, Palacios.

[9 December 2018 18:37 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Good evening and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of tonight's long awaited Copa Libertadores final second leg between River Plate and Boca Juniors.

Kick off is at 19:30, and we'll have all the team news shortly.

[9 December 2018 18:40 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Here are the teams for tonight's game at the Bernabeu:

[9 December 2018 18:46 · Callum Rice-Coates]

After two postponements, after the violence and drama in Buenos Aires, the Copa Libertadores will finally reach its conclusion tonight. For both clubs, it will take place thousands of miles away from home, on another continent.

Events off the pitch have, understandably, overshadowed the football, and that is likely to continue. But tonight, for 90 minutes at least, the focus will be on which of these Argentine giants lifts South America's most prestigious trophy.

It's level at 2-2 from the first leg. All to play for, then.

[9 December 2018 18:50 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Carlos Tevez starts on the bench for Boca tonight, but expect him to be introduced at some point. And expect him to make an impact when he does. This game means a lot to the former Manchester United and Manchester City striker.

Here's some pre-match reading from Miguel Delaney on Tevez:

[9 December 2018 18:57 · Callum Rice-Coates]

And here's Miguel Delaney on the events that led to this game being played in Madrid, not Buenos Aires:

[9 December 2018 19:00 · Callum Rice-Coates]

The distance hasn't deterred the vociferous fans of both River and Boca. They're in Madrid in their numbers, as colourful and noisy as ever. 

[9 December 2018 19:05 · Callum Rice-Coates]

[9 December 2018 19:17 · Callum Rice-Coates]

There's a big security presence around the Bernabeu tonight. No chances are being taken. Thankfully, things have gone smoothly so far. Just under 15 minutes until kick off now, so we can safely assume that a third postponement isn't going to happen.

[9 December 2018 19:27 · Callum Rice-Coates]

The players are out. The atmosphere is building. Just enough time for the rousing Argentine national anthem before kick off.

[9 December 2018 19:31 · Callum Rice-Coates]

It seemed like it might never happen, but River Plate, finally, get things underway in the second leg of the Copa Libertadores final.