‘SUPERNATURAL’ forces seemingly kept out a last-gasp River Plate winner in the Superclasico against Boca Juniors.
Quite incredibly, the ball changed direction when it looked certain to cross the line.
Boca Juniors escaped what looked to be a certain own goal in the final minuteCredit: ESPN
River Plate thought they had won it when the header bounced towards the open goalCredit: ESPN
Suddenly the spin on the ball took it across the face of the goalmouthCredit: ESPN
Boca Juniors goalkeeper Esteban Andrada recovered to make a stunning stop at the back postCredit: ESPN
So stunning was the moment – many have suggested there was some sort of divine intervention to stop the ball from going in.
With the scores level at 1-1 heading into the 90th minute, the visitors pushed for a dramatic winner at La Bombonera.
They looked destined to grab it when a cross from the right was inadvertently headed towards his own goal by Carlos Izquierdoz.
Boca goalkeeper Esteban Andrada completely missed the ball and Izquierdoz had his hands on his head expecting to score a heartbreaking own goal.
But as it bounced in front of the line, the ball suddenly spun across the face of goal.
Andrada then scampered across and, together with the far post, managed to prevent the follow-up ending up in the back of the net.
And that ensured the huge Buenos Aires derby finished in a draw.
SPIRIT OF MARADONA?
A Sebastian Villa penalty put Boca Juniors – who had Carlos Tevez leading the line – ahead just before half-time.
Agustin Palavecino levelled for River Plate midway through the second half before both sides had a man sent off.
But all the talk after full-time was regarding the bizarre moment at the end of the game – with some citing the ‘spirit of Diego Maradona’ for preventing his former Boca side from conceding.
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One Twitter user said: “The invisible hand of D10.”
Another wrote: “Only explanation is that Maradona’s spirit spun that ball outwards.”
A third added: “Some FIFA scripting going on here during Boca Juniors vs River Plate last night… How has this not gone in?”
And a final person joked: “A minute of silence for all those who were on over 2.5 goals in this yesterday, wtf.”
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Andrada completely missed the ball and his error looked set to cost his team in the SuperclasicoCredit: ESPN
Carlos Izquierdoz watched on in horror with his name about to go down in folkloreCredit: ESPN
There would have been very little time for Boca Juniors to score an equaliser at the empty La BomboneraCredit: ESPN
The game finished 1-1 as both teams ending it with ten menCredit: AFP
River Plate’s players could not believe they had missed out on a crucial away win at their bitter rivalsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk