Referee needs riot police protection after VAR controversy sees River Plate beat Gremio to reach Copa Libertadores final

Argentinean side somehow progressed into the Copa Libertadores final and they could face bitter rivals Boca Juniors next

Richard Forrester

Published: 10:29, 31 Oct 2018
Updated: 10:49, 31 Oct 2018

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RIVER PLATE'S shock win over Gremio in the Copa Libertadores semi-final descended into chaos after the referee was escorted off the field by police with riot shields.

The Argentinean side looked dead and buried when they went 1-0 down against the Brazilian side following on from their 1-0 home defeat in the first-leg.

Riot police were forced to surround the referee after the gameCredit: EPA

Gremio players were furious with the penalty decisionCredit: Reuters

They were being totally outplayed until they pulled one back in the 82nd minute through a scrappy free-kick.

River Plate knew another away goal would snatch an unlikely victory and they piled men forward looking for a stroke of luck.

Just minutes before full-time they got it when the visitors were awarded a controversial penalty with the help of VAR.

A Gremio player was adjudged to have handled a strike on goal despite no protests from the River Plate players.

Rover Plate players celebrate while Gremio's protest in the backgroundCredit: AFP or licensors

A 95th minute penalty knocked Gremio out of the cupCredit: AFP or licensors

River Plate could now face fierce rivals Boca Juniors in the finalCredit: AP:Associated Press

The home side were furious and spent SEVEN minutes protesting to the referee over the decision.

With 13 minutes of added time, River Plate eventually scored the penalty in the 95th minute to send Gremio packing.

But the drama didn't end there.

At the full-time whistle police with riot shields were forced to surround the officials against Gremio players that remained furious with the decision.