It was a consecrating, gigantic night, that of the Colombian Juan Fernando Quintero. He brought out all his magic to help Racing defeat Corinthians 2-1 and put the ‘Academia’ in the final of the Copa Sudamericana.
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It is Racing’s first international final since it lost the Super Cup against Cruzeiro in 1992 and it will have revenge against the same rival, who on Wednesday eliminated Lanús, from Argentina, to seek its third Conmebol title, next November 23 in Asunción. He already won the Libertadores in 1967 and the Super Cup in 1988.
(Also: Video | Juan Fernando Quintero’s double with which Racing qualified for the final of the Copa Sudamericana)
Quintero scored a double this Thursday and with that, he also avoided the full field of Brazilian clubs in the South American club finals this year. It is worth remembering that two clubs from that country, Atlético Mineiro and Botafogo, will play for the Copa Libertadores title on November 30, at the Monumental de River stadium.
The Colombian turned around a game that Racing started losing with a goal from Yuri Alberto, in the 6th minute. At 36 he equalized with a penalty and at 39, in a lively play by his team, and with the help of speed from a ball boy, he scored the winning goal.
The emotional words of Juanfer Quintero upon moving to the final
Quintero could not hide his emotion, and, in the midst of tears, he vented after qualifying for the final.
“There are no words to explain it, it was a very difficult year,” Juanfer, sobbing, told ESPN. “I want to dedicate this triumph to God, to my family, we suffered a lot, here we are. Unfortunately you cannot be here at this moment due to a situation. You know that my heart and my soul are with you,” he added.
“I am privileged in football to have these moments in a club like this, where its fans feel it, so special, where its fans feel it. I simply have to be grateful, nothing more,” he added.
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