World Football: Copa Libertadores and Maracana Magic

Liga de Quito had won the first leg 4-2 but altitude played a major factor in that game.

They came to the Maracana knowing that they could even lose the match and be crowned champions.

Only four minutes into the final the Ecuadorean club scored through Luis Bolanos. This now meant that Fluminense would need to score at least three times just to force extra time. A task that would write off most teams in the world but on the night Fluminense showed themselves more than equal to the task.

Fluminense midfielder Thiago Neves scored a hat-trick as his club showed the kind of spirit not seen at any level for many years. No lazy millionaire players dragging their feet in this one folks.

A combination of fabulous touches and relentless play ensued as the see-saw tie finished 5-5 on aggregate but alas the Rio side's efforts were in vain as LDU won the shootout 3-1 to stun the crowd of 86,000 at the Maracana.

Fluminense, whose coach Renato had guaranteed victory before the game, netted three goals in less than an hour and looked certain to complete the job.

But they ran out of steam and failed to score in the remaining half hour of normal time or in extra-time.

Three of their four kicks were saved by LDU goalkeeper Jose Cevallos in the shootout, including one from Neves.

"I scored three goals but they weren't worth anything because we didn't win the trophy," Neves told reporters.

LDU struck when Joffre Guerron made one of his trademark runs down the right and pulled the ball back to Bolanos, who scored with a low shot which took a deflection.

Fluminense, who had won all previous six home games in the competition, needed only seven minutes to equalise.

Neves slipped past a couple of defenders and scored with a low 25-metre shot.

"Flu" went ahead in the 28th minute when LDU's flat back four was caught out at a throw-in. Cicero broke down the left and found Neves who scored easily from close range.

LDU were by now a collective shell-shocked wreck and it was no surprise when Fluminense levelled the aggregate scores in the 57th minute. Neves floating a 25-metre free kick over the wall and into the corner.

A decisive Fluminense goal looked only a matter of time but instead the hosts lost momentum and LDU fought back.

Fernando Henrique was forced to turn away a low shot from Patricio Urrutia before LDU forward Claudio Bieler hit the post with a shot on the turn.

In the 116th minute, Bieler headed in from Enrique Vera's long cross but the goal was disallowed for offside.

One minute later, Fluminense were close to settling the match when Neves had a close-range shot saved by Cevallos.

With the last move of the game, Guerron burst from defence and ran the length of the field before being bundled over by Fluminense captain Luis Henrique who was sent off.

LDU are the champions of the Libertadores. They are the first Ecuadorean club to win the cup. The next stop for this surprising club is the FIFA Club World Cup in Tokyo later this year.