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Football

RIVER OF JOY

River Plate celebrate Copa Libertadores with wild parade on streets of Buenos Aires

The squad were given a hero's reception as they showed off the trophy in front of 60,000 supporters

Joshua Jones

Published: 18:57, 24 Dec 2018
Updated: 19:00, 24 Dec 2018

RIVER PLATE'S homecoming may have been delayed but it was certainly worth the wait.

The players and coaches showed off the Copa Libertadores trophy to 60,000 of their adoring supporters in Buenos Aires yesterday.

River Plate were given a sensational reception as they returned to Buenos Aires — River Plate were given a sensational reception as they returned to Buenos AiresCredit: EPA

They had been delayed due to their participation in the Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi — They had been delayed due to their participation in the Club World Cup in Abu DhabiCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Fans lined the streets and packed out their Monumental Stadium to welcome home their heroes.

Manager Marcelo Gallardo said: "Thanks for being here, thanks for supporting us, for enduring us and for encouraging us, for all the love received over the years.

"It's a great emotion what I am feeling right now, it's a great feeling to share with this group of players.'

It is the first time they have returned to Argentina since beating arch-rivals Boca Juniors in one of the most bizarre matches in living memory.

Around 60,000 turned out to see their heroes, lining the streets and packing the Monumental Stadium — Around 60,000 turned out to see their heroes, lining the streets and packing the Monumental StadiumCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Manager Marcelo Gallardo addressed the crowd and thanked them for their incredible support — Manager Marcelo Gallardo addressed the crowd and thanked them for their incredible supportCredit: EPA

Friends and family joined the players in the celebrations — Friends and family joined the players in the celebrationsCredit: Reuters

There were incredible scenes throughout Sunday as those connected with the club celebrated — There were incredible scenes throughout Sunday as those connected with the club celebratedCredit: Getty Images - Getty

River Plate beat their city rivals Boca Juniors in an incredible final — River Plate beat their city rivals Boca Juniors in an incredible finalCredit: AP:Associated Press

The final was played 6,000 miles away in Madrid after twice being postponed — The final was played 6,000 miles away in Madrid after twice being postponedCredit: AFP or licensors

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After the first leg - played on November 11 - ended 2-2 at Boca's La Bombenera, it was all to play for in the second leg.

But the second leg was then initially postponed twice and the final was eventually completed at Real Madrid's Bernabeu more than 6,000 miles away.

River Plate ran out 3-1 winners after extra time to secure a 5-3 aggregate win and their fourth Copa Libertadores - the South American equivalent of the Champions League.

As a result, they qualified for the Club World Cup, held in Abu Dhabi.

It meant many fans who would have gone to the second leg were unable to do so — It meant many fans who would have gone to the second leg were unable to do soCredit: AP:Associated Press

Gonzalo Martinez scored the last of the eight goals in the final as he finished off a counter attack — Gonzalo Martinez scored the last of the eight goals in the final as he finished off a counter attackCredit: AP:Associated Press

The players and coaches celebrate Rivers fourth Copa Libertadores triumph — The players and coaches celebrate Rivers fourth Copa Libertadores triumphCredit: EPA

Martinez takes in the applause, cheers and love from his supporters on Sunday — Martinez takes in the applause, cheers and love from his supporters on SundayCredit: EPA

They went straight from Madrid to the UAE to compete in the annual tournament of confederation winners — They went straight from Madrid to the UAE to compete in the annual tournament of confederation winnersCredit: EPA

River Plate celebrate dramatic extra-time Copa Libertadores win over Boca Juniors

But things did not go to plan for Gallardo and his team as they were beaten on penalties by UAE side Al Ain in the semi-final.

They did recover to stuff Japanese side Kashima Antlers 4-0 in the third-fourth play-off while Real Madrid secured a third consecutive tournament win.

But the fans will not be bothered about their Club World Cup performance.

Winning the Copa Libertadores - and of course beating Boca Juniors in the final - is far, far more important.

The last time many of the fans saw these players would have been more than a month ago — The last time many of the fans saw these players would have been more than a month agoCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Supporters started gathering early on Sunday morning and were still going well into the night — Supporters started gathering early on Sunday morning and were still going well into the nightCredit: Getty Images - Getty

The players danced on the pitch as they forgot about their Club World Cup performance — The players danced on the pitch as they forgot about their Club World Cup performanceCredit: AP:Associated Press

Very few River Plate fans will be bothered about their semi-final exit to UAE side Al Ain — Very few River Plate fans will be bothered about their semi-final exit to UAE side Al AinCredit: Getty - Contributor

River came third after winning the third-place play-off but the win over Boca was far more important — River came third after winning the third-place play-off but the win over Boca was far more importantCredit: EPA

The Copa Libertadores in South America is the equivalent to the Champions League in Europe — The Copa Libertadores in South America is the equivalent to the Champions League in EuropeCredit: EPA

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River Plate