River Plate won their first continental title in 17 years on Wednesday when they beat Colombian side Nacional Medellin 2-0 in the second leg of the final of the Copa Sudamericana.
The first leg in Medellin had ended in a 0-0 draw and the sides were still deadlocked at half-time in Buenos Aires.
But two goals in five minutes after 54 and 59 minutes from defenders Gabriel Mercado and Germán Pezzella set River Plate on course for the trophy considered to be South America’s second most prestigious after the Copa Libertadores.
Coached by former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marcelo Gallardo, it was River Plate’s first continental title since 1997.
The club hit rock bottom in 2011 when they were relegated from the top flight, but they battled their way back under coach Ramon Diaz and topped the league in June of this year.
Diaz was subsequently named as coach of Paraguay’s national team and Gallardo was named to take over from him.
“I am really proud to have played at this club and now to have come back and to savour this victory from the bench,” he said.