Corinthians is the champion from Libertadores Cup

Corinthians 2-0 Boca Juniors

Emerson's brace wins the Copa Libertadores for Corinthians

Two second half goals from Emerson Sheik wins Corinthians their first ever Copa Libertadores title

Emerson’s two goals after half time were enough for Corinthians to see off Boca Juniors 2-0 at the Pacaembu. 

Corinthians dominated ball possession for the majority of the match, as the Brazilians looked the more adventurous of the two sides and deservedly claimed their first ever Copa Libertadores title at home.

Despite looking more threatening, the Sao Paulo side went into the break tied with their Buenos Aires counterparts. However, following the break, Emerson struck twice to win the game for the Timao. 

The 33-year-old scored a well-taken half volley after a wonderful assist from Danilo, before coolly slotting under substitute goalkeeper, Sebastian Sosa, after collecting a misplaced Rolando Schiavi pass. 

The first half began as a cagey affair, with neither side wanting to make the first mistake. Following a good spell of pressure from Corinthians in the middle of the half, Boca Juniors looked nervy and struggled to maintain possession as Corinthians pressed high up the field. 

On the half hour mark, the visitors suffered a blow to their chances as Agustin Orion’s knee injury forced Julio Falcioni to replace his regular number one with reserve goalkeeper Sebastian Sosa. 

Following the half time interval, Corinthians continued to press, as Emerson and Paulinho began to influence the game and create openings. Just 20 seconds into the second half, Emerson tested Sosa from the right wing as he played a dangerous ball into the 6-yard box, bringing a good save from the substitute stopper. 

However, he did not have to wait long to finally break the deadlock. In the 54th minute, Alex’s freekick from the right flank was flicked-on inside the box by Jorge Henrique towards Danilo. As the ball fell inside the area, Danilo skillfully back-heeled the bouncing ball to Emerson, who took the pass in his stride and struck past Sosa on the half volley to score the ever-important first goal. 

With less than 20 minutes to play, Emerson doubled Corinthians’ advantage. The Qatari international capitalised on Rolando Schiavi’s horrible mistake, collecting his loose pass across the pitch before running one-on-one with Sebastian Sosa and slotting the ball into the far corner to score his 5th goal of the tournament and confirm victory for the Brazilians. 

Corinthians have now qualified for the Fifa Club World Club Championships which will take place in December in Japan.

Source: goal.com

Lionel Messi has ball kicked at his head while on the floor

Many have tried (and failed) to stop Lionel Messi over the years, but Colombia’s Abel Aguilar took a novel approach to the task, by firing the ball from close range at the forward’s head…while he was on the floor.

The Hercules midfielder took the dastardly pop at the Barcelona ace immediately after he was felled outside the box by Gustavo Bolivar, during Argentina’s 2-1 win over Colombia in their World Cup qualifier. 

The incident provoked a furious reaction from Messi’s team-mates, but it was the brilliant 24-year-old who had the last laugh – firstly scoring Argentina’s leveller, then turning provider for Sergio Aguero to nick it six minutes from time. 

I think we can safely assume the lesson here – like in the Incredible Hulk – is ‘ don’t make him angry!’ 

The result keeps Argentina joint top of their nine-team South American qualifying group, level on seven points with Venezuela and Copa America winners Uruguay, who have a game in hand.

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Source: Bleacher Report