River Plate win Copa Libertadores clash with midfielder Enzo Perez in goal

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By ( Press Association ) published
(Image credit: Juan Ignacio Roncoroni)

Covid-hit River Plate secured a remarkable Copa Libertadores win on Wednesday despite having just 11 players available and Argentina international midfielder Enzo Perez in goal.

The Buenos Aires giants have been hit by a swathe of positive coronavirus tests, leaving them down to the bare bones and without a specialist goalkeeper against Independiente Santa Fe.

But the group match in South America’s version of the Champions League was ordered to go ahead, with River Plate midfielder Perez – who started the 2014 World Cup final for his country – donning the gloves.

If that was not remarkable enough, the 35-year-old was named man of the match as the Argentinian club secured a scarcely-believable 2-1 win at El Monumental.

Fabrizio Angileri opened the scoring for the hosts in the third minute, with Julian Alvarez then firing home a stunning sixth-minute rocket.

Santa Fe upped the pressure in the second half and Kelvin Osorio pulled one back, but River Plate held on for a stunning victory in trying circumstances.