The second final lasted 121 minutes, and Martínez was the protagonist of a memorable run down the open field, with no opposition other than the effort of defender Carlos Izquierdoz behind him and his own physical endurance after such a long match.
"And that's the third one," Gonzalo Martínez celebrates the goal that decided the final.
The "Pity" played a long ball and ran it down, pushing it with his left foot towards the open goal, giving River one of the most memorable Libertadores finals of all time.
This was followed by a provocation: sticking his tongue out and pushing defender Gonzalo Montiel before a wild celebration.
Benedetto celebrates the first goal of the second final.
River was able to level the series in the 22nd minute after a great combination down the right flank between midfielders Ignacio Fernández and Exequiel Palacios, culminating in a cross-shot from Pratto, the top scorer of the final with three goals.
From there on, the match never stopped thrilling the fans, with an indirect free-kick inside the area wasted by the "Xeneize" in the 34th minute of the second half, and the expulsion of midfielder Wilmar Barrios for a hard foul in the first minute of extra time.
The goal that gave River the lead for the first time came in the third minute of the second period of extra time, after 197 minutes of the series.
Colombian midfielder Juan Fernando Quintero received the ball from the right, on the edge of the area, and unleashed a powerful left-footed shot that hit the crossbar and went in, in an unforgettable goal.
The ball travels to the far corner, in the goal by "Juanfer" Quintero that put River ahead.
In 29 minutes of extra time, a string of memorable events occurred. The Colombian controlled it with the heel to fool a defender in a sensational move, and set up the run of "Pity" Martínez. The rest is known history.
Taking the kick-off in the 35th minute, "Pity" Martínez advanced from the center circle and played a through ball for the run of forward Lucas Pratto, against an incredibly disorganized defense that went one-on-one and finished low and across, leveling the final.
Pratto celebrates his goal, scored from the kick-off.
In any case, Boca went into the halftime break in the lead, with added time, thanks to a direct free-kick into the area, which was flicked on goal by forward Darío "Pipa" Benedetto, who was going through the best stage of his career.
A set-piece was again crucial in the 15th minute of the second half, but this time in favor of River.
Nervousness and anxiety took over the fans, while neutrals prepared to enjoy a historic final.
The series between River and Boca for the 2018 Libertadores final was scheduled for November 10 at La Bombonera and November 24 at the Monumental, although neither of these dates could be fulfilled.
La Bombonera after the rains of November 10, with an unplayable pitch.
The first suspension was not controversial, on a day of very heavy rains in the Federal Capital.
A long free-kick from the right was headed home by Pratto, and with his brace, the first final ended in a 2-2 draw.
The aforementioned good moment from Armani would become crucial in the 44th minute of the first final, as he narrowed the angle and saved with his left leg an incredible one-on-one with Benedetto that could have tilted the final in favor of the home team.
The one-on-one in which Armani got the better of Benedetto.
The day of the decisive final arrived at the Monumental, although what could have been a party for either club turned out to be another regrettable event in the history of our football: Boca's bus took a wrong route and passed in front of River's people, who attacked it with stones.
One of the most affected players was midfielder Pablo Pérez, who was taken off the bus with a gauze over his eye, having glass shards in it, and the match was suspended until further notice.
Pablo Pérez, injured after being hit by stones.
Five days later, Conmebol announced unexpected news: trying to attract the European fan and offering nothing less than a Superclásico, the final of the Copa Libertadores was moved to Europe, more precisely to the imposing Santiago Bernabéu stadium, property of Spanish Real Madrid.
The date for the decisive match was set for December 9, 2018, a date that the "Millionarios" fans will never forget.
Bernabéu, awaiting the final between River and Boca.
Before a packed stadium, witnessing a massive arrival of Argentines to the Madrid city, the first goal of the European night came in the 43rd minute. Benedetto received a good through pass, got rid of defender Jonathan Maidana and faced Armani again, beating him this time with a shot to the near post.
Boca took the lead to the delight of their fans. But the home team's joy would be short-lived.
