• Flamengo 2-1 River Plate • Gabriel Barbosa scores twice in final minutes then sent off

Flamengo won the Copa Libertadores for the first time in 38 years with two goals from Gabriel Barbosa in the last three minutes, beating the defending champions, River Plate, 2-1 after an astonishing comeback in Lima.

River took the lead through Rafael Borré after 14 minutes and looked to be cruising to their fifth Libertadores triumph.

Flamengo 2-1 River Plate: Copa Libertadores final – as it happened Read more

However, Barbosa, the striker nicknamed Gabigol who is on loan from Internazionale, tapped in from close range with a minute left and then rifled home from 15 metres in injury time to secure victory.

Barbosa was sent off in the dying moments, along with Exequiel Palacios of River Plate, in a chaotic finish. The result gave Flamengo only their second Copa Libertadores and means they will represent South America in the Club World Cup in Qatar in December. The first single-match final of the Copa was moved from Santiago to the Peruvian capital because of street protests in Chile.

Flamengo will win the Brazilian championship on Sunday if second-placed Palmeiras fail to beat Gremio.

They came into the final on the back of a 26-game unbeaten run but appeared overawed. River Plate seldom looked like losing their lead as they outplayed and outmuscled Flamengo before their unlikely late comeback.