Music, dance and a lot of emotion: relive the closing of the Copa Libertadores | VIDEO

The expectation for the final of the Copa Libertadores caused a party atmosphere in Uruguayan lands for a few days. And it couldn’t be different on the day of the match at the Centenario Stadium. Thousands of fans of Flamengo and Palmeiras vibrated with the meeting and also with the closing ceremony.

Anitta, the Brazilian pop star, ushered in the show about 20 minutes before kickoff, performing various songs alongside a dance group in front of a giant replica of the Cup.

Another of the most exciting moments was when Nery Pumpido entered the court. The Argentine appeared carrying the trophy, the one that he knew how to lift as a River Plate player (1986) and as Olimpia’s coach (2002).

The exponents of the best football in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo are also the last two champions of the tournament, a clash that has not occurred in a Libertadores final for 60 years.

Thousands of ‘torcedores’ dressed in the jackets of their clubs – among which the red and black of the ‘Mengao’ will predominate – took over the city in the last hours, giving away postcards of quiet tourist walks and songs of football hubbub.

Bars and supermarkets in Montevideo that woke up this Saturday with posters offering ‘beer gelada’ were completely filled with euphoric supporters, who made Portuguese the language most widely spoken in many corners of the city.

Between curious and amused, the Uruguayans joined the foreign party encouraging the different groups with honks or shouting the names of Giorgian de Arrascaeta or Joaquín Piquerez, the two locals who will be able to face each other on the field.

The renovated Centenario stadium looked almost 80% full, with a greater proportion of ‘Fla’ fans, although in a duel of songs, the Albiverde fans also made themselves felt.

With information from AFP.