Independiente del Valle, with its coach and eight Argentinian players, hit the Maracana and won the South American Recopa

Independent Valleydirected by Argentina Martino Anselmi and with eight compatriots in the squad, they lost 1-0 with flamenco in the rematch of the final of South American Cup Winners’ Cup but they became champions thanks to their lead in the first leg, which also ended 1-0, and their effectiveness on penalties, where they won 5-4.

The match was played in torrential rain at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro. Uruguayan Giorgian de Arrascaeta scored the heartbreaking 1-0 which forced extra time in the 95th minute, the last time added by referee Andrés Matonte.

The first four penalties for the Ecuadorian team were all scored by Argentinians: Lorenzo Faravelli, Michael Hoyos, Nicolás Previtali and Richard Schunke. The last one, that of victory, was underlined by Anthony Landázuri, from Ecuador.

The Ecuadorian team had won the first leg 1-0 last week with a goal by the Argentine defender Matthew Carabajalemerged in the Arsenal de Sarandí.

Independiente del Valle, led by Anselmi da Rosario, has seven other Argentines in addition to the aforementioned Carabajal: Christian Pellerano (formerly New Chicago, Independiente and Racing, among other teams), Lautaro Diaz (former students of BA and Villa Dálmine), Lorenzo Faravelli (formerly Newells and Gymnastics, among others), Agustin Garcia Basso (ex Farm, among others), Richard Schunke (ex Almagro, among others), Michael Hoyos (former students of La Plata, among others) e Nicholas Previtali (formerly Atlanta).

Except for Hoyos (born in the United States but nationalized Argentine) and Previtali, the other six “albicelesti” were starters in the decisive match, which is why half plus one of the champion team was made up of Argentines. Hoyos and Previtali would end up entering and converting on penalties.

The Ecuadorian team is the current champion of the Copa Sudamericana, while Flamengo has won the Copa Libertadores de América.

The Brazilian team has featured figures of the stature of Arturo Vidal, David Luiz, Everton Ribeiro, Gabriel, Pedro and Uruguayan Giorgian De Arrascaeta. It is worth mentioning that Mengao just suffered another blow at international level when he unexpectedly lost in the semi-finals of the Club World Cup to Ramón Díaz’s Al Hilal in early February. Yes, another Argentinian.