Copa Libertadores: Sergio Romero Was Hero For Boca Juniors

• Palmeiras 1-1 (2-4 pens) Boca Juniors: Sergio Romero penalty saves seal Copa Libertadores final place.

Goalkeeper Sergio Romero was the hero for Boca Juniors in their Copa Libertadores semi-final penalty shootout victory over Palmeiras.

Edinson Cavani gave Argentine club Boca a first-half lead but, after defender Marcos Rojo was sent off, Joaquin Piquerez equalised in Sao Paulo.

Romero, formerly of Manchester United, produced two saves in the shootout as Boca prevailed 4-2.

They will face Brazilian club Fluminense in the final on 4 November.

Boca have now won three successive penalty shootouts to reach the final, beating compatriots Racing Club and Uruguayan outfit Nacional in the two previous rounds.

“I’m 36 years old – an age when I like to have fun, and for me penalties are fun,” said Romero.

This latest victory, following a goalless first leg, hands Boca the chance to match Independiente’s record of seven Copa Libertadores titles.

Fluminense, who will aim to win South America’s elite club competition for the first time, beat Internacional 2-1 on Wednesday.

The final will be held at the Brazilian club’s home venue, the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro.

“You dream about these kind of days when you are a kid and so to live it is a unique, special experience,” Boca midfielder Ezequiel Fernandez said.

“It’s history but we know how big we are, how great we are, but it is still a dream.”

Cavani, who like Romero and Rojo also spent time in the Premier League with Manchester United, converted from close range after 23 minutes.

However, former Argentina international Rojo was dismissed after receiving a second yellow card for a late challenge.

Palmeiras brought on 17-year-old Endrick – who has an agreement to join Real Madrid when next July – as they pushed for an equaliser, and their pressure told when Piquerez’ deflected shot from 25 yards ended Romero’s resistance.

But after Cavani missed Boca’s opening penalty, Romero saved Palmeiras’ first two efforts to help send his side through.