In a two-game series that saw 10 goals scored you wouldn’t expect a goalkeeper to be the hero, but Liga de Quito goalkeeper Jose Francisco Cevallos was just that for Liga. Cevallos made three penalty kick saves to help Liga de Quito beat Brazilian club Fluminense, 3-1, in penalty kicks to capture the Copa Libertadores title last night at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro.
Fluminense came into the match needing to erase a two-goal deficit and didn’t look like they would do it after Liga de Quito scored the opening goal to take a three-goal series lead. That was before Fluminense midfielder Thiago Neves scored a hat-trick to tie the home-and-home series at 5-5 and send it to penalties.
Cevallos stole the show from there, stopping three of Fluminense’s four penalty kicks while Liga de Quito teammates Patricio Urrutia (pictured), Franklin Salas and Getafe-bound Joffre Guerron converted their penalty kicks. You can watch the PK round after the jump:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44RgV0v9Yus&hl=en&fs=1]
Cevallo’s saves come at 1:24, 3:47 and 7:35 on the video to seal the Liga de Quito victory.
The win earns Liga de Quito a place in the FIFA Club World Cup later this year, a tournament that will also include European champions Manchester United.
Did you watch the game last night? What did you think of the match? Share your thoughts below.