Newell's Old Boys Edge Boca Juniors in Marathon Copa Libertadores Shootout

In penalty shootouts, longer doesn't always mean higher quality, but it usually means more drama. The latter was the case on Wednesday night as Newell's Old Boys edged Boca Juniors 10-9 in a marathon penalty shootout to win an all-Argentine Copa Libertadores quarterfinal.

Both legs of the knockout tie were drawn 0-0. In Wednesday's second leg at Newell's Old Boys' Estadio Marcelo Bielsa (yes, that Marcelo Bielsa), Boca Juniors had the best opportunity to score, generating a chance in the 56th minute. Juan Roman Riquelme (yes, he's still got it) crossed to Nicolas Blandi, whose header hit the post.

Boca defender Clemente Rodriguez received a red card moments later, and the match eventually went to penalties, where the teams combined for 25 spot kicks.

In the end, Newell's Old Boys were able to outlast Riquelme and Boca.

Lest you think the shootout was all quality all the time, think again. The Global Times reports:

"

Former Villarreal and Argentina midfielder Juan Roman Riquelme squandered Boca's first spot-kick, followed by missed attempts from Matias Caruzzo, Nahuel Zarate and Juan Manuel Martinez.

Marcos Caceres, Maximiliano Urruti and Horacio Orzan were off target for Newell's before former Liverpool winger Maxi Rodriguez converted the winning penalty from his team's 13th attempt.

"

The entire shootout appears in video form above. Enjoy.

Afterwards, Riquelme was philosophical. Here's what he said, according to Fox Sports: "Penalties are a matter of which team is more lucky. We played against the best Argentinian team according to everybody's thoughts, and we had the most important chances to score so we are not that bad."

Newell's manager Gerardo Martino had a different view: "I'm proud of coaching a very good team. I guide a group of brave players and that is a key point in this team. Tonight, we had more ball possession but we were not accurate in finishing."

Newell's advance to the semifinals to face either Atletico Mineiro of Brazil or Tijuana of Mexico. Either way, we'll be hoping for another shootout.

(h/t Dirty Tackle)

Follow @MikeCummings37