Copa Libertadores: Santos 2 Penarol 1

Santos have clinched the Copa Libertadores with a 2-1 defeat of Penarol on Wednesday, in a match marred by an ugly post-game brawl.

Tensions were high throughout the second half at Santos’ home ground, the Estadio do Pacaembu, after Brazilian starlet Neymar opened the scoring with a deft finish on 47 minutes.

Penarol, who carried a 0-0 aggregate into their away leg, attempted to muscle their way into the match but were stonewalled in their efforts.

Santos defender Danilo stretched the hosts’ advantage with a threaded shot through traffic on 69 minutes, but team-mate Durval handed that one back to Penarol with an own goal 10 minutes from injury time.

In their desperation to equalise the Uruguayan club were repeatedly found wanting at the back, though Santos spurned several gilt-edged opportunities in near-comical fashion.

Their wastefulness proved insignificant, however, as the final whistle sounded on Penarol’s hopes of clinching a sixth Libertadores title.

Santos, celebrating their third title and their first since Pele led the club to back-to-back successes in 1962 and ’63, were set upon by Penarol and the two sides exchanged punches and kicks before police intervened.

It was an ugly end to what could be Neymar’s last match with his Brazilian club. The talented 19-year-old is reportedly close to sealing a big-money move to Spanish giants Real Madrid.