San Lorenzo vs. Nacional, 2014 Copa Libertadores: Final score 1-0, Argentinians lift the cup

The last of Argentina’s big five to become champions of South America has finally lifted the trophy that has eluded them. For the first time in their history, San Lorenzo are Copa Libertadores champions.

San Lorenzo’s 1-1 draw away to Nacional last week was a good result for them, but a dramatic late winner from the Paraguayans made things a bit trickier for them. However, the Argentinians were not threatened for most of the match, and once they scored in the first half, they skillfully held on to their 1-0 lead to win the tie 2-1 on aggregate.

Nacional nearly put San Lorenzo in a hole early, though, picking up right where they left off in the first leg. Derlis Orue had a chance to put his team on the scoreboard just 65 seconds into the match, but hit the near post from close range. That was the best chance that Nacional would get all match.

The winner came in the 36th minute, gifted to San Lorenzo by way of a blatant handball by Ramon Coronel. Following a set piece, Martin Cauteruccio tried to hit an overhead kick back into the center of the box, but Coronel stuck his hand straight up in the air to block it. The referee caught his indiscretion and pointed to the spot, and Nestor Ortigoza finished to give San Lorenzo the lead on the night and on aggregate.

Nacional had a small handful of half-chances after that, but nothing truly troubling; the Paraguayans finished the match with no shots on target. Sebastian Torrico was nearly beat by a couple of long-range efforts by Silvio Torales that went just wide and was nearly fooled on a free kick that eluded everyone, but Nacional never managed to force him into a save.