A day after winning their first Copa Libertadores in 38 years, Flamengo completed a rare double on Sunday when they secured the Brazilian league title after closest challengers Palmeiras lost 2-1 at home to Gremio.

The result leaves Flamengo an unassailable 13 points ahead of Palmeiras with four games of the Serie A season remaining.

It is the seventh league title for the Rio de Janeiro club and completes a historic weekend, coming less than 24 hours after Gabriel Barbosa scored two goals in the dying minutes to give them a 2-1 victory over River Plate in the Libertadores final in Peru.

It is the first time that a Brazilian team has won both the league and the Libertadores in the same year since Pele's Santos achieved the same feat in 1963.

The Flamengo players had driven through the centre of Rio on an open-top lorry earlier on Sunday to celebrate the Libertadores victory and they did not need to kick a ball for their celebrations to double.

Defending league champions Palmeiras had to beat Gremio to keep their slim title hopes alive but although Bruno Henrique equalised Everton’s 69th-minute opener for Gremio, Pepe stepped up in stoppage time to give the visitors all three points.

Flamengo have 81 points from 34 games; Palmeiras are joint second with Santos on 68 points.

The win completes a phenomenal year for a club that has gone 26 games unbeaten since losing on the first weekend of August.

Under Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, who has quickly become a cult figure, Flamengo have overrun opponents with a high-intensity pressing game and an all-out attack spearheaded by prolific scorers Barbosa and Bruno Henrique.

Barbosa, who is on loan from Inter Milan, is the top goalscorer in both the Libertadores and Serie A, while Bruno Henrique was named the Best Player of the 2019 Libertadores on Sunday.

Flamengo now have four league games remaining before turning their attention to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/revamped-fifa-club-world-cup-important-for-asia-gianni-infantino-208343">Club World Cup in Qatar</a>, where they could face <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/liverpool-masterclass-leaves-manchester-city-in-tatters-261238">Liverpool</a>, the team they beat to win the Intercontinental Cup in 1981.

A day after winning their first Copa Libertadores in 38 years, Flamengo completed a rare double on Sunday when they secured the Brazilian league title after closest challengers Palmeiras lost 2-1 at home to Gremio.

A day after winning their first Copa Libertadores in 38 years, Flamengo completed a rare double on Sunday when they secured the Brazilian league title after closest challengers Palmeiras lost 2-1 at home to Gremio. The result leaves Flamengo an unassailable 13 points ahead of Palmeiras with four games of the Serie A season remaining. It is the seventh league title for the Rio de Janeiro club and completes a historic weekend, coming less than 24 hours after Gabriel Barbosa scored two goals in the dying minutes to give them a 2-1 victory over River Plate in the Libertadores final in Peru. It is the first time that a Brazilian team has won both the league and the Libertadores in the same year since Pele's Santos achieved the same feat in 1963. The Flamengo players had driven through the centre of Rio on an open-top lorry earlier on Sunday to celebrate the Libertadores victory and they did not need to kick a ball for their celebrations to double. Defending league champions Palmeiras had to beat Gremio to keep their slim title hopes alive but although Bruno Henrique equalised Everton’s 69th-minute opener for Gremio, Pepe stepped up in stoppage time to give the visitors all three points. Flamengo have 81 points from 34 games; Palmeiras are joint second with Santos on 68 points. The win completes a phenomenal year for a club that has gone 26 games unbeaten since losing on the first weekend of August. Under Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, who has quickly become a cult figure, Flamengo have overrun opponents with a high-intensity pressing game and an all-out attack spearheaded by prolific scorers Barbosa and Bruno Henrique. Barbosa, who is on loan from Inter Milan, is the top goalscorer in both the Libertadores and Serie A, while Bruno Henrique was named the Best Player of the 2019 Libertadores on Sunday. Flamengo now have four league games remaining before turning their attention to the Club World Cup in Qatar, where they could face Liverpool, the team they beat to win the Intercontinental Cup in 1981.

Flamengo confirmed Serie A champions a day after Libertadores win

River Plate battled back from a goal down to beat arch Argentine rivals Boca Juniors 3-1 after extra-time in the rescheduled Copa Libertadores final second leg which was controversially played in Madrid after violence had seen the original game postponed.

Dario Benedetto put Boca ahead on at the end of a bruising first half at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium.

But River, who also came back twice in the 2-2 draw in the first leg at Boca's Bombonera stadium, levelled in the 68th minute through striker Lucas Pratto after a superb team move.

River were given a huge advantage when Boca midfielder Wilmar Barrios was sent off in the third minute of extra-time and seized it thanks to a sizzling strike from Colombia international Juan Fernando Quintero in the 109th minute.

Gonzalo Martinez sealed victory, 5-3 on aggregate, at the death with a tap in after Boca's entire team had poured forward in search of an equaliser, giving River a fourth Libertadores title and denying Boca a record-equalling seventh.

River's victory means they will represent South America in the Club World Cup that starts in the United Arab Emirates on Dec. 12.

The game was moved 10,000 kilometres away from River's Monumental stadium to Madrid as Boca's team bus had been ambushed before the originally scheduled game, leaving several Boca players injured from the impact of the smashed windows and from tear gas that had been fired by police.

It meant that instead of a home game with the exclusive presence of River supporters, Real Madrid's Bernabeu was equally-divided between fans of both sides, a highly unusual situation in the Copa Libertadores.

There was also a deep sense of irony at the fact a competition named in honour of the liberators of South America was to be played in the home of their former rulers.

Despite the controversy, a total of 10,000 fans made the long journey over from Argentina for the occasion, with the nation's considerable expatriate communities across Europe (250,000 reside in Spain alone) also flooding in to the Spanish capital, creating a carnival atmosphere that was mostly cordial.

Spanish police had mounted the biggest ever security operation for a football match in the country, deploying over 4,000 personnel including more than 2,000 police officers.

River Plate battled back from a goal down to beat arch Argentine rivals Boca Juniors 3-1 after extra-time in the rescheduled Copa Libertadores final second leg which was controversially played in Madrid after violence had seen the original game postponed.

River Plate battled back from a goal down to beat arch Argentine rivals Boca Juniors 3-1 after extra-time in the rescheduled Copa Libertadores final second leg which was controversially played in Madrid after violence had seen the original game postponed. Dario Benedetto put Boca ahead on at the end of a bruising first half at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium. But River, who also came back twice in the 2-2 draw in the first leg at Boca's Bombonera stadium, levelled in the 68th minute through striker Lucas Pratto after a superb team move. River were given a huge advantage when Boca midfielder Wilmar Barrios was sent off in the third minute of extra-time and seized it thanks to a sizzling strike from Colombia international Juan Fernando Quintero in the 109th minute. Gonzalo Martinez sealed victory, 5-3 on aggregate, at the death with a tap in after Boca's entire team had poured forward in search of an equaliser, giving River a fourth Libertadores title and denying Boca a record-equalling seventh. River's victory means they will represent South America in the Club World Cup that starts in the United Arab Emirates on Dec. 12. The game was moved 10,000 kilometres away from River's Monumental stadium to Madrid as Boca's team bus had been ambushed before the originally scheduled game, leaving several Boca players injured from the impact of the smashed windows and from tear gas that had been fired by police. It meant that instead of a home game with the exclusive presence of River supporters, Real Madrid's Bernabeu was equally-divided between fans of both sides, a highly unusual situation in the Copa Libertadores. There was also a deep sense of irony at the fact a competition named in honour of the liberators of South America was to be played in the home of their former rulers. Despite the controversy, a total of 10,000 fans made the long journey over from Argentina for the occasion, with the nation's considerable expatriate communities across Europe (250,000 reside in Spain alone) also flooding in to the Spanish capital, creating a carnival atmosphere that was mostly cordial. Spanish police had mounted the biggest ever security operation for a football match in the country, deploying over 4,000 personnel including more than 2,000 police officers.

River Plate snatch Libertadores glory over Boca in Madrid

Riot police were deployed in Buenos Aires in the early hours of Monday (December 10) morning after disturbances were reported during celebrations for River Plate's win over Boca Juniors in the Copa Libertadores final second leg.

Reuters video showed revellers throwing objects in the direction of police. Officers responded with tear gas to disperse the crowd.

Soccer fans celebrated River Plate's 3-1 win against Boca Juniors in Madrid after violence had seen the original game postponed.

Soccer violence is commonplace in Argentina. The Copa Libertadores final game was controversially moved 10,000 kilometres away from River's Monumental stadium to Madrid as Boca's team bus had been ambushed before the originally scheduled game, leaving several Boca players injured from the impact of the smashed windows and from tear gas that had been fired by police.

Riot police were deployed in Buenos Aires in the early hours of Monday (December 10) morning after disturbances were reported during celebrations for River Plate's win over Boca Juniors in the Copa Libertadores final second leg.

Riot police were deployed in Buenos Aires in the early hours of Monday (December 10) morning after disturbances were reported during celebrations for River Plate's win over Boca Juniors in the Copa Libertadores final second leg. Reuters video showed revellers throwing objects in the direction of police. Officers responded with tear gas to disperse the crowd. Soccer fans celebrated River Plate's 3-1 win against Boca Juniors in Madrid after violence had seen the original game postponed. Soccer violence is commonplace in Argentina. The Copa Libertadores final game was controversially moved 10,000 kilometres away from River's Monumental stadium to Madrid as Boca's team bus had been ambushed before the originally scheduled game, leaving several Boca players injured from the impact of the smashed windows and from tear gas that had been fired by police.

Argentina's Libertadores' celebrations descends into violence

The troubled <a href="http://www.wionews.com/search?q=Copa+Libertadores">Copa Libertadores</a> final between Argentina's two biggest clubs ran into more problems on Saturday when <a href="http://www.wionews.com/search?q=River+Plate">River Plate</a> said they rejected the decision to face <a href="http://www.wionews.com/search?q=boca+juniors">Boca Juniors</a> in Madrid in the postponed second leg.

In the latest twist to the saga, River, the home team, said it was "incomprehensible" that the fixture should be played outside Argentina, although the club stopped short of saying they would refuse to play.

The hugely-anticipated match at River Plate's Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires was called off on Nov. 24 after the Boca team bus was attacked with stones and bottles as it approached the ground.

Several players were hit by shattered glass and some were affected by tear gas or pepper spray.

The match was rescheduled for the following day but was again postponed. The first leg in Boca's stadium had ended 2-2 one week earlier.

On Thursday the South American Football Confederation CONMEBOL announced the decision to move the game to Real Madrid's Bernabeu stadium on Dec. 9.

"River Plate reject the change of venue," the club said in a statement, adding that moving the game to Madrid "adversely affects those who bought tickets and also upsets the idea of equal conditions by taking away home advantage".

However, River did not say what action they would take if CONMEBOL stood by its decision.

River were fined $400,000 for the incidents and ordered to play their next two home matches in South American club competition behind closed doors. However, Boca have said they will appeal against the decision which they consider too lenient.

CONMEBOL ignored the appeals on Saturday and released information on ticket sales but although each team have been allocated 25,000, they must sell most of that allowance to fans outside Argentina.

"For security reasons local authorities have decided to give each team 5,000 tickets to sell to their fans in Argentina," CONMEBOL said.

The other 20,000 could be sold only to fans living abroad, CONMEBOL said in a statement. The teams must provide lists of the 5,000 names who buy the Argentina allowance.

Boca themselves were thrown out of the Libertadores in 2015 after River players were attacked with pepper spray by fans at halftime during the second leg of a knockout tie at the Bombonera stadium. Boca say they want the same standards to apply to River.

River said the attack on the bus happened outside the area which was considered the club's responsibility.

"The responsibility for the failure of the security operation was openly accepted by the highest authorities of the state," it said.

"It's incomprehensible that the most important fixture in Argentine football cannot take place in the country which is hosting the G20.

"Argentine football as a whole... cannot allow a handful of thugs to stop the Superclasico from taking place in our country."

It is the first time that the two clubs have met in the final of the competition, which is the South American equivalent of the Champions League.

From next season onwards, the final will be played in a single match at a neutral venue - a decision which CONMEBOL had already taken before last month's trouble.

The troubled Copa Libertadores final between Argentina's two biggest clubs ran into more problems on Saturday when River Plate said they rejected the decision to face Boca Juniors in Madrid in the postponed second leg.

The troubled Copa Libertadores final between Argentina's two biggest clubs ran into more problems on Saturday when River Plate said they rejected the decision to face Boca Juniors in Madrid in the postponed second leg. In the latest twist to the saga, River, the home team, said it was "incomprehensible" that the fixture should be played outside Argentina, although the club stopped short of saying they would refuse to play. The hugely-anticipated match at River Plate's Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires was called off on Nov. 24 after the Boca team bus was attacked with stones and bottles as it approached the ground. Several players were hit by shattered glass and some were affected by tear gas or pepper spray. The match was rescheduled for the following day but was again postponed. The first leg in Boca's stadium had ended 2-2 one week earlier. On Thursday the South American Football Confederation CONMEBOL announced the decision to move the game to Real Madrid's Bernabeu stadium on Dec. 9. "River Plate reject the change of venue," the club said in a statement, adding that moving the game to Madrid "adversely affects those who bought tickets and also upsets the idea of equal conditions by taking away home advantage". However, River did not say what action they would take if CONMEBOL stood by its decision. River were fined $400,000 for the incidents and ordered to play their next two home matches in South American club competition behind closed doors. However, Boca have said they will appeal against the decision which they consider too lenient. CONMEBOL ignored the appeals on Saturday and released information on ticket sales but although each team have been allocated 25,000, they must sell most of that allowance to fans outside Argentina. "For security reasons local authorities have decided to give each team 5,000 tickets to sell to their fans in Argentina," CONMEBOL said. The other 20,000 could be sold only to fans living abroad, CONMEBOL said in a statement. The teams must provide lists of the 5,000 names who buy the Argentina allowance. Boca themselves were thrown out of the Libertadores in 2015 after River players were attacked with pepper spray by fans at halftime during the second leg of a knockout tie at the Bombonera stadium. Boca say they want the same standards to apply to River. River said the attack on the bus happened outside the area which was considered the club's responsibility. "The responsibility for the failure of the security operation was openly accepted by the highest authorities of the state," it said. "It's incomprehensible that the most important fixture in Argentine football cannot take place in the country which is hosting the G20. "Argentine football as a whole... cannot allow a handful of thugs to stop the Superclasico from taking place in our country." It is the first time that the two clubs have met in the final of the competition, which is the South American equivalent of the Champions League. From next season onwards, the final will be played in a single match at a neutral venue - a decision which CONMEBOL had already taken before last month's trouble.

River Plate reject Libertadores final in Madrid

The postponed Copa Libertadores final second leg between Argentine clubs River Plate and Boca Juniors will be played at Real Madrid's stadium on December the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) said on Thursday.

The match, originally scheduled to take place in Buenos Aires last Saturday but <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/libertadores-final-postponed-after-boca-bus-attacked-players-hurt-179328">postponed</a> after Boca players were hurt when River supporters <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/riots-break-out-in-argentina-after-boca-juniors-bus-is-attacked-179326">attacked their coach</a>, will take place in the Spanish capital on Sunday, December 9 at 8:30 pm (1930 GMT).

"The decision is that this game is going to be played in front of fans from both clubs in Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium," CONMEBOL President Alejandro Dominguez said.

"(Madrid) is not only one of the safest cities in the world, the Santiago Bernabeu is an elite stadium that offers the highest standards of security and comfort for an encounter of this magnitude."

This year was the first time that Argentina's two biggest teams had met in the final of South America's equivalent of the Champions League and as usual away supporters were banned from both legs because of recurring fan violence.

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The clubs drew the first leg 2-2 at Boca's ground in Buenos Aires and were due to play the second match across town at River's Monumental stadium last Saturday.

Boca players sustained injuries, however, when River fans attacked their coach as it approached the stadium and the game was first delayed until Sunday before being postponed indefinitely.

A CONMEBOL tribunal on Thursday also ruled against Boca's appeal to be awarded the match because of the violence but River were fined $400,000 and ordered to play their next two matches in continental competition behind closed doors.

Boca Juniors said it rejected the tribunal's decision and would appeal.

The violent incidents outside the Monumental were beamed around the world, embarrassing Argentina days before this weekend's G20 summit in Buenos Aires.

The task will now fall on Spanish authorities to ensure the game between two of the bitterest rivals in sport goes ahead peacefully at the 81,044-capacity Bernabeu.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Twitter that his government were ready to host the match and were already working with law enforcement authorities to ensure security for the event.

Qatar, Miami, and stadiums in Brazil and Colombia were among the other possible venues discussed for the biggest game in the 58-year history of the Libertadores Cup.

Spain's position as a footballing hotbed with excellent flight connections to Latin America swung the decision in Madrid's favour, however.

"The world is asking for an example of chivalry, sportsmanship and sporting values," Dominguez said.

"Football is not about violence."

The winners of the final will have little time to celebrate before representing CONMEBOL in the Club World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

The tournament kicks off three days after the rescheduled second leg on December 12 with the South American champions due to play their first match on December 18.

The postponed Copa Libertadores final second leg between Argentine clubs River Plate and Boca Juniors will be played at Real Madrid's stadium on December the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) said on Thursday.

The postponed Copa Libertadores final second leg between Argentine clubs River Plate and Boca Juniors will be played at Real Madrid's stadium on December the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) said on Thursday. The match, originally scheduled to take place in Buenos Aires last Saturday but postponed after Boca players were hurt when River supporters attacked their coach, will take place in the Spanish capital on Sunday, December 9 at 8:30 pm (1930 GMT). "The decision is that this game is going to be played in front of fans from both clubs in Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium," CONMEBOL President Alejandro Dominguez said. "(Madrid) is not only one of the safest cities in the world, the Santiago Bernabeu is an elite stadium that offers the highest standards of security and comfort for an encounter of this magnitude." This year was the first time that Argentina's two biggest teams had met in the final of South America's equivalent of the Champions League and as usual away supporters were banned from both legs because of recurring fan violence. × The clubs drew the first leg 2-2 at Boca's ground in Buenos Aires and were due to play the second match across town at River's Monumental stadium last Saturday. Boca players sustained injuries, however, when River fans attacked their coach as it approached the stadium and the game was first delayed until Sunday before being postponed indefinitely. A CONMEBOL tribunal on Thursday also ruled against Boca's appeal to be awarded the match because of the violence but River were fined $400,000 and ordered to play their next two matches in continental competition behind closed doors. Boca Juniors said it rejected the tribunal's decision and would appeal. The violent incidents outside the Monumental were beamed around the world, embarrassing Argentina days before this weekend's G20 summit in Buenos Aires. The task will now fall on Spanish authorities to ensure the game between two of the bitterest rivals in sport goes ahead peacefully at the 81,044-capacity Bernabeu. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Twitter that his government were ready to host the match and were already working with law enforcement authorities to ensure security for the event. Qatar, Miami, and stadiums in Brazil and Colombia were among the other possible venues discussed for the biggest game in the 58-year history of the Libertadores Cup. Spain's position as a footballing hotbed with excellent flight connections to Latin America swung the decision in Madrid's favour, however. "The world is asking for an example of chivalry, sportsmanship and sporting values," Dominguez said. "Football is not about violence." The winners of the final will have little time to celebrate before representing CONMEBOL in the Club World Cup in the United Arab Emirates. The tournament kicks off three days after the rescheduled second leg on December 12 with the South American champions due to play their first match on December 18.

Postponed Libertadores final to be played in Madrid

The Italian city of Genoa has offered to host the postponed Copa Libertadores final between River Plate and Boca Juniors, stressing the role immigrants from the city had in founding the two Buenos Aires clubs.

The second leg of the final was <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/riots-break-out-in-argentina-after-boca-juniors-bus-is-attacked-179326">called off twice</a> at the weekend after the bus carrying the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/libertadores-final-postponed-after-boca-bus-attacked-players-hurt-179328">Boca team was attacked</a> by rival fans outside River's Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires on Saturday, injuring several players.

The kickoff was initially delayed before the game was postponed from Saturday to Sunday. On Sunday, it was postponed again, hours before kickoff, after Boca said they were not in a fit state to play.

The South American football confederation CONMEBOL is due to meet both clubs on Tuesday to discuss rescheduling and the venue. The first leg at Boca's stadium ended 2-2.

The Genoa city government confirmed in a statement on Monday that it had written to the clubs offering to host the game.

The Libertadores is South America's equivalent of Europe's Champions League and it is the first time two teams from the same city had reached the final.

"Deep, in fact, are the bonds that unite the two Argentine football clubs - both founded by Genoese immigrants at the beginning of the twentieth century - with the Ligurian capital," Genoa's government said.

The city's sports director Stefano Anzalone added: "We would be very proud to host important clubs like Boca and River in our city by welcoming them in what, in some ways, is also their first home.

"It would also be a further opportunity to give international visibility in Genoa at this time of difficulty and to renew the profound sense of friendship that historically unites us with those societies."

The city is still recovering from the accident in August when a motorway bridge collapsed, killing 43 people.

Boca are generally more closely associated with the city and are nicknamed the "Xeneizes", the local dialect's word for "Genoese".

River Plate's connections with the city are less well known although some versions of their history say the club adopted red and white as their colours because they are the same as Genoa's flag.

The Italian city of Genoa has offered to host the postponed Copa Libertadores final between River Plate and Boca Juniors, stressing the role immigrants from the city had in founding the two Buenos Aires clubs.

The Italian city of Genoa has offered to host the postponed Copa Libertadores final between River Plate and Boca Juniors, stressing the role immigrants from the city had in founding the two Buenos Aires clubs. The second leg of the final was called off twice at the weekend after the bus carrying the Boca team was attacked by rival fans outside River's Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires on Saturday, injuring several players. The kickoff was initially delayed before the game was postponed from Saturday to Sunday. On Sunday, it was postponed again, hours before kickoff, after Boca said they were not in a fit state to play. The South American football confederation CONMEBOL is due to meet both clubs on Tuesday to discuss rescheduling and the venue. The first leg at Boca's stadium ended 2-2. The Genoa city government confirmed in a statement on Monday that it had written to the clubs offering to host the game. The Libertadores is South America's equivalent of Europe's Champions League and it is the first time two teams from the same city had reached the final. "Deep, in fact, are the bonds that unite the two Argentine football clubs - both founded by Genoese immigrants at the beginning of the twentieth century - with the Ligurian capital," Genoa's government said. The city's sports director Stefano Anzalone added: "We would be very proud to host important clubs like Boca and River in our city by welcoming them in what, in some ways, is also their first home. "It would also be a further opportunity to give international visibility in Genoa at this time of difficulty and to renew the profound sense of friendship that historically unites us with those societies." The city is still recovering from the accident in August when a motorway bridge collapsed, killing 43 people. Boca are generally more closely associated with the city and are nicknamed the "Xeneizes", the local dialect's word for "Genoese". River Plate's connections with the city are less well known although some versions of their history say the club adopted red and white as their colours because they are the same as Genoa's flag.

Genoa offers to host postponed Libertadores final

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