Juanfer Quintero's goal 2018

The goal by Juan Fernando Quintero shown in the image was the decisive moment of the 2018 Copa Libertadores final, a match played at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid.

📋 The context of the match

River Plate and Boca Juniors drew 1-1 in regulation time, forcing the match into extra time. In the first period of extra time, Boca were reduced to ten men after Wilmar Barrios was sent off, giving River the numerical and psychological advantage to push for a goal.

⚽ The play that led to the goal

Quintero had come on as a substitute in the second half. In the 109th minute, he received a clearance from goalkeeper Esteban Andrada outside the area and, without hesitation, unleashed a powerful and well-placed left-footed shot that nestled into the top corner.

The player himself later confessed that he had practiced that type of shot the day before and that he didn't think about it: he just controlled it and kicked it.

✨ The significance of the goal

This goal made it 2-1 and was key to River Plate's championship victory with a 5-3 aggregate score. It was the first Copa Libertadores final played between these two arch-rivals, and Quintero left his mark on a historic moment for the club.