Brazil's Santos wins Copa Libertadores

Neymar and Danilo scored second-half goals and Brazil's Santos beat Uruguay's Penarol 2-1 on Wednesday night to win the Copa Libertadores title for the first time since the Pele era in the 1960s.

A brawl started after the match while Santos celebrated, with Penarol players going after the Brazilians and both sides exchanging punches and kicks until police came in to intervene.

"A (Santos) fan entered the field and provoked us," Penarol forward Alejandro Martinuccio said. "They have to learn how to celebrate, we had accepted the loss."

A couple of Santos players were hit and stayed on the ground after the fight, but none were seriously injured. Penarol players later calmed down and came back to receive their runner-up medals.

"They were a worthy opponent, but they don't know how to lose," Santos defender Leo said.

The traditional South America teams tied 0-0 in the first leg in Uruguay last week.

Santos took its third title in Latin America's biggest club competition, having won back to back titles in 1962 and 1963 when a young Pele led the attack.

Neymar opened the scoring in the 47th minute and Danilo made it 2-0 in the 69th, helping Santos win its third title — matching Sao Paulo for the most by a Brazilian team — in Latin America's most important club competition. It hadn't lifted the trophy since Pele led the team to consecutive titles in 1962 and '63.

Neymar kneeled down a few moments after the final whistle and sobbed with his hands covering his face.

"It's the happiest day of my life. I made history," the 19-year-old star said. "We deserved this title, it's time to celebrate."

Pele cried on the field after the match was over.

"We have to thank these young guys for giving us this title," Pele said.

Penarol was trying to win its sixth Copa Libertadores title, and the first in 24 years. It would have joined Boca Juniors with six trophies, only one behind Independiente of Argentina.

Penarol scored in the 80th on Santos defender Durval's own goal.

With Pele watching from the stands, Neymar opened the scoring with a firm low shot into the near corner, using the side of his right foot to get the ball past goalkeeper Sebastian Sosa.

Danilo dribbled past a defender and fired a low shot across the area into Sosa's corner.

Load more..