Estudiantes won their fourth Libertadores Cup and first since 1970 when they upset Brazil’s Cruzeiro 2-1 in the second leg of the final at the Mineirao in Belo Horizonte.
The Argentine club triumphed 2-1 on aggregate after a 0-0 draw at home in La Plata last week.
It was a special achievement for skipper Juan Sebastian Veron, who emulated his father Juan Ramon, a member of the side that won the club’s three previous titles.
“Let them enjoy this — it’s for the fans. It’s unique,” former Lazio and Manchester United midfielder Veron told Fox Sports.
“We have to raise a monument to all the players,” said coach Alex Sabella. “Veron is the greatest ever Estudiantes player.”
Cruzeiro took the lead seven minutes into the second half through Henrique, but Estudiantes replied within five minutes when right-back Cristian Cellay whipped in a cross, keeper Fabio failed to cut the ball out and Gaston Fernandez tapped in from two yards out.
Mauro Boselli headed the winner in the 73rd minute from Veron’s corner, confirming his position as the tournament’s top scorer with eight goals.
“This is what one dreams of,” said Boselli. “It was our objective and we achieved it.”
Cruzeiro coach Adilson Baptista told a news conference: “We played better in the second half, went 1-0 up and could have got a second. Then we concended goals through a loss of concentration in defence and a dead ball play.
“We’re not going to feel sorry for ourselves,” added Adilson.
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