One of the most dull Copa Libertadores finals of all-time ended with a dramatic sending off for Santos boss Cuca before Palmeiras grabbed a winner in the 10th minute of added time.

Both sides had just one shot on target a piece inside 90 minutes, before an injury time of absolute chaos ensued between the two Brazilian rivals.

Palmeiras emerged victorious in the final of the biggest club competition in South America, leaving players from both teams in tears at the final whistle for entirely different reasons.

The iconic Maracana played host to one of the most sweltering Copa Libertadores finals ever, with the tournament rescheduled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JANUARY 30: Breno Lopes of Palmeiras celebrates after scoring the winning goal during the final of Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores 2020 between Palmeiras and Santos at Maracanã Stadium on January 30, 2021 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Silvia Izquierdo - Pool/Getty Images) (
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Getty)

There was almost no heat when it came to events on the pitch until injury time though as the conditions took their toll.

That is until the fifth minute of added time when Santos manager Cuca saw red for his involvement in an incident with Palmeiras defender Marcos Rocha.

Cuca appeared to bend down to pick up the ball and give it to Rocha on the edge of his technical area.
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JANUARY 30: Coch Cuca of Santos gestures during the final of Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores 2020 between Palmeiras and Santos at Maracanã Stadium on January 30, 2021 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Mauro Pimentel – Pool/Getty Images) (
Image:
Getty)

But Rocha bundled the Santos boss over in his urgency to get the ball back in play, which led to a mass scuffle on the sidelines.

The drama ended with Cuca literally jumping into the stands with a small number of fans who were inside the Maracana and walking up the concourse.

Just a few minutes later, Rony found striker Breno Lopes with an inch-perfect cross which the 6ft6 target man put away with a sensational header.

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The full-time whistle was not blown until the 104th minute as Santos players continued to stream forward, but could not find a way through, meaning Palmeiras lifted the second Libertadores title in their history.

Palmeiras will also now travel to Qatar to play in Fifa Club World Cup next week, where they will enter at the semi-final stage.