Argentine side River Plate still managed to beat Independiente Santa Fe 2-1 in the Copa Libertadores despite playing an injured midfielder in goal.
The team had to select outfield player Enzo Perez as goalkeeper following a severe coronavirus outbreak in the squad which left them with only 11 players available.
Perez fended off the Colombian side until the 73rd minute and was named man of the match for his heroic performance.
What happened?
River Plate went 2-0 up in the group stages of the Copa Libertadores, the South American equivalent of the Champions League, courtesy of Fabrizio Angileri and Julian Alvarez goals.
Injured midfielder Perez, who was standing in as goalkeeper, was heading for a clean sheet but was beaten by Kelvin Osorio late in the game.
River Plate managed to hold on to secure a 2-1 victory and put them top of group D.
Why did Perez go in goal?
Four River Plate keepers were unavailable because they had either tested positive for COVID-19 or were injured.
The club asked to register their fifth and sixth keepers but their request was rejected.
How severe was the COVID-19 outbreak?
Very. The Argentine side only had 11 players available and no substitutes after 20 players tested positive for COVID-19 and others were also hampered with injury.
Who is Enzo Perez?
The 35-year-old midfielder started for Argentina in the 2014 World Cup final.
Having sought advice about playing between the sticks he said he used “the penalty spot as reference” and just tried to “focus and help the team”.
(Photo: Juan Ignacio Roncoroni – Pool/Getty Images)