Another stunner

Once Caldas upsets Boca Juniors to win Copa Libertadores

Samuel Vanegas hoists the cup that hadn't been won by a Colombian team since 1989. AP

MANIZALES, Colombia (AP) -- Once Caldas pulled off one of the biggest upsets in Copa Libertadores history Thursday, downing six-time champion Boca Juniors in a penalty shootout to become only the second Colombian team to lift South America's premier club trophy.

This year was the first time Once got past the first round of an international competition and its ironclad defense ensured it never lost a match at home.

The two sides were tied 1-1 at the final whistle, forcing a penalty showdown. Boca Juniors then missed all four of its spot kicks, while Once netted two shots thanks to Elkin Soto and Jorge Agudelo to complete a 2-0 win.

Earlier, John Viafara opened for the Colombians in the 7th minute with a powerful 25-meter shot. But Nicolas Burdisso equalized with a header off a Franco Cangele pass from deep in the right corner in the 51st minute.

"It is an enormous achievement," Once coach Luis Fernando Montoya said after the match. "Tomorrow I will have to watch television to make sure it is true."

"We are the best!" shouted midfielder Arnulf Valentierra.

Valentierra and Wilmer Ortegon's spot kicks were both deflected by Boca goalie Roberto Abondanzzieri, but it wasn't enough for the Argentines, and the 40,000 home fans packing the stadium went into a frenzy when the victory bell sounded.

The two sides had played to a scoreless draw in last week's first-leg final in Buenos Aires.

The loss was extra bitter for Boca -- which won three of the past four Libertadores -- after losing the Argentine championship to archrival River Plate last week.

Medellin's Nacional, in 1989, was the only Colombian side previously to lift the trophy.

Despite Once's reputation as a defensive team, Viafara led a series of surprise attacks during the action-packed match, constantly keeping Boca under pressure.

But the Argentines responded with a barrage of offensives of their own, particularly in the first half, but couldn't crack the Colombian defense.

Cangele, the most aggressive Boca player in the match, came close to scoring early in the second half when his powerful shot was stopped by Henao -- whose acrobatic saves throughout the competition have made him a national here.

After the close shave, Once went on the counterattack, forcing Boca goalie Roberto Abondanzzieri to make three heroic saves all in the 61st minute.

Despite Manizales's altitude -- 2,150 meters (7,095-feet) above sea level -- Boca picked up the pace in the final minutes of the game, with a Tevez shot narrowly deflected by Henao.

Toward the end of injury time, Soto fired a shot that clanked off the goal post.

"You have given the country infinite happiness," Colombian President Alvaro Uribe told the team in a congratulatory message. "This victory was fought and won by you."

Lineups

Once Caldas: Juan Carlos Henao, Miguel Rojas, Edgar Catano, Samuel Vanegas, Edwin Garcia, Ruben Velasquez, John Viafara, Arnulfo Valentierra, Elkin Soto, Dayro Moreno (Jefrey DÄéaz, 66) and Herly Alcazar (Jorge Agudelo, 79).

Boca Juniors: Roberto Abbondanzieri, Luis Carlos Perea, Rolando Schiavi, Nicolas Burdisso, Clemente Rodriguez, Javier Villarreal, Alfredo Cascini, Fabian Vargas, Diego Cagna (Miguel Caneo, 86), Franco Cangele and Carlos Tevez.

Referee: Carlos Chandia (Chile)

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