Cruzeiro postponed its dream of winning the unprecedented Copa Sudamericana title after being beaten by Racing (Argentina), 3-1, in the competition’s only final, at the General Pablo Rojas Stadium – also known as “La Nueva Olla” – , in Asunción (Paraguay). In the first 20 minutes, the Argentines made it 2-0, with goals from Martirena and Martínez. In the second half, Kaio Jorge reduced the score for Raposa, who fought hard for the draw, but in stoppage time, Martinez extended Racing’s triumph to 3-1. The Argentine team’s victory ended a 36-year drought without international titles and guaranteed the club’s presence in the 2025 editions of the Copa Libertadores and Recopa.
💙🏆 @RacingClubthe new and unprecedented CONMEBOL champion #Sudamericana!
⭐️🇦🇷 La Acadé 😍 #GreatConquest pic.twitter.com/a1HuOZTDll
— CONMEBOL Sudamericana (@SudamericanaBR) November 23, 2024
The first half started at full steam. After two minutes, Martirena took a strong shot from the edge of the area and found the back of the net, however, after a VAR review, the goal was disallowed due to the attacker being offside. With strong marking on Cruzeiro’s ball, it didn’t take long for the Argentines to control the game and open the scoring. In the 14th minute, Quintero goes on the attack, taking advantage of Cruzeiro’s passing error in the middle. He passes it to Martirena on the right, who, when trying to cross, opens the scoring for Racing, an angled ball that leaves goalkeeper Cássio sold. Four minutes later, Salas advanced from the left, escaped João Marcelo’s marking, and crossed for Martínez to extend the lead for the Argentines. Cruzeiro tried to reduce it with Kaio Jorge, in the 29th minute, who shot hard towards the goal, but the ball went over the crossbar. Another opportunity came in the 45th minute: after a corner, Villalba took a firm shot, but Argentine goalkeeper Arias saved it.
🕘 Game over.
⚽ Kaio Jorge scored for Cruzeiro.
🔷 #RACxCRU | 3-1 | #LaBestiaNegra pic.twitter.com/sCPMed8eoB— Cruzeiro 🦊 (@Cruzeiro) November 23, 2024
After the break, it only took seven minutes for Cruzeiro to reduce Argentina’s advantage. The play started with Matheus Henrique, who started from midfield, advanced and crossed into the penalty area for Kaio Jorge to head the ball into the goal. Arias even palmed the ball, but on the rebound, Kaio Jorge shot firmly into the back of the net. Still behind the scoreboard, the team from Minas Gerais, led by coach Fernando Diniz, did not give up, and by going all out in search of a draw, they ended up giving space to quick counterattacks from the Argentines. And it was in one of them, pulled by Martínez in the 49th minute, that Racing’s third goal came. The Argentine number 10 started alone from midfield until he invaded the area and sent a bomb into the back of the net, scoring his second goal of the match. End of game: Racing 3 x 1 Cruzeiro.
