River Plate 2-0 Atletico Nacional (agg 3-1): Fans go wild in Buenos Aires as Marcelo Gallardo's side win Copa Sudamericana

  • River Plate win Copa Sudamericana, South America's second-most prestigious continental competition
  • Argentinian side beat Colombia'a Atletico Nacional from Medellin 3-1 over two legs, winning the second leg 2-0
  • River can complete a league and cup double on Sunday if they win and Racing fail to do so 

By Ap Reporter

Published: 04:51 EST, 11 December 2014 | Updated: 05:02 EST, 11 December 2014

River Plate won the Copa Sudamericana title on Wednesday after downing Colombians Atletico Nacional 2-0 at home in the second leg of the final.

Gabriel Mercado and German Pezzella both scored with headers to give the famous Buenos Aires club its first international title in 17 years.

The two teams drew 1-1 in the first leg last week in Latin America's second most prestigious club tournament after the Copa Libertadores.

VIDEO Scroll down for highlights from the Copa Sudamericana final as River Plate beat Atletico Nacional 3-1 on aggregate 

River Plate's squad pose for the cameras after securing their first continental title in 17 years on Wednesday night

River Plate's squad pose for the cameras after securing their first continental title in 17 years on Wednesday night

RIver Plate fans set the Buenos Aires night alight with flares and fireworks as they cheered on their team

RIver Plate fans set the Buenos Aires night alight with flares and fireworks as they cheered on their team

Both sets of players were greeted with the sight of red tape as River Plate fans created a cauldron-like atmosphere

Both sets of players were greeted with the sight of red tape as River Plate fans created a cauldron-like atmosphere

River fans were already in the mood to celebrate before the match with the tie still locked at 1-1 after the first leg

River fans were already in the mood to celebrate before the match with the tie still locked at 1-1 after the first leg

Defender Gabriel Mercado gives River the lead on the night and in the tie with a well-placed header

Defender Gabriel Mercado gives River the lead on the night and in the tie with a well-placed header

Mercado is mobbed by his team-mates after his opening goal put River Plate in the driving seat in the final 

Mercado is mobbed by his team-mates after his opening goal put River Plate in the driving seat in the final 

German Pezzella (pictured) scored River's second goal as they ended up running out comfortable winners

German Pezzella (pictured) scored River's second goal as they ended up running out comfortable winners

'Thanks to the players for playing the game the way it should be played,' said River coach Marcelo Gallardo, a former River player. 'I offer a toast to the team. I feel very proud for having come to this club, for having started as a player here and grown as a person.'

Mercado opened the scoring in the 54th minute and Pezzella sealed the win 10 minutes later. After that, the Colombians seemed to run out of energy, sensing the victory was River's.

River Plate defeated Buenos Aires arch-rivals Boca Juniors in the semi-finals, making the victory in the final even sweeter.

River can win the Argentine league title on Sunday in the final round, but trail Racing Club by two points. The two top teams do not play each other and a victory by Racing will guarantee them the First Division title, denying River a double.

Coach Marcelo Gallardo - a former Argentina international - celebrates with his players after the final whistle

Coach Marcelo Gallardo - a former Argentina international - celebrates with his players after the final whistle

River are hoping to complete a league and cup double by leapfrogging Racing on the final day of the season on Sunday

River are hoping to complete a league and cup double by leapfrogging Racing on the final day of the season on Sunday

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