Racing makes history with Copa Sud title win
Racing won its first Copa Sudamericana championship by comfortably beating Brazil’s Cruzeiro 3-1 in the final in Asuncion, Paraguay.
Gaston Martirena and Adrian Martinez scored first-half goals as the Argentinean club claim the prize, despite having an earlier opener ruled out by VAR for an apparent offside.
Victory represents La Academia's first international title since 1988, when it won the now defunct Supercopa Sudamericana.
Roger Martinez sealed the victory with a goal in the 90th after Kaio Jorge had scored for Cruzeiro in the 52nd to make it a nervy second half for Racing fans, but in truth it always looked the likely victor.
“We suffered until the last minute, but to be able to win a cup after so many years is a blessing,” Adrian Martinez said.
“It’s historic, it was a long time without being able to raise an international cup, we have a poor year in the league, but we were able to give the fans this satisfaction.”
Racing is the first Argentinian team to win the competition since 2020 when Defensa y Justicia beat Lanus.
Brazilian teams Atletico Mineiro and Botafogo will play next weekend in the Copa Libertadores final in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
