Gremio won their first Copa Libertadores title in 22 years after beating Lanus 2-1 in the second leg of the final on Wednesday evening, thus tying up a 3-1 overall victory.
Both of the Brazilian side’s goals came early, with Fernandinho and Luan striking before the half-time break before Jose Sand eventually pulled one back for the Argentinian hosts with a 72nd-minute penalty.
ACABOU!!!!!! Lanús 1×2 Grêmio
A #Libertadores2017 É NOSSA! A AMÉRICA É NOSSA! #SoyLocoPorTri #QueremosACopa #ReconquistaDaAmérica pic.twitter.com/OK2rqQsRlV— Grêmio FBPA (@Gremio) November 30, 2017
As such, Gremio took the Libertadores crown for only the third time in their history but the result had far graver repercussions in the Lanus camp, with right-back Jose Luis Gomez revealing that he is considering retiring from football because of his performance.
Indeed, it was the 24-year-old’s error that presented the chance to Fernandinho to open the scoring in the 12th minute, and the poor mite was rendered absolutely disconsolate after the final whistle.
Speaking to TyC Sport, Gomez whimpered:
I’m hurt, I feel guilty and I think it’s over. I’m thinking about leaving football. I’ll think about it, I’m just a boy, but it (the error) shouldn’t have happened.
I did not have a good night. I want to apologise to the people of Lanus.
The people deserved to be champions, but because of my mistake the game opened up.
As can be seen hereunder, Gomez’s mistake was hardly a howler, with the young defender simply miscalculating a pass inside the Gremio half that ricocheted kindly for Fernandinho to rush on to.
Honestly, we think he’s being a little too harsh on himself. It’s not like Lanus didn’t have another 78 minutes to rectify the situation, after all.
Still, you’ve got to admire the intensity of Gomez’s emotional response, which is almost certain to endear him to the Lanus fans.
Chin up chap.