Boca Juniors became the third team to qualify for this year's FIFA Club World Championship by winning the Copa Libertadores tonight. They defeated Brazil's Grêmio 2-0 in Porto Alegre to complete a comprehensive 5-0 aggregate win. From the kickoff in Buenos Aires to the final whistle tonight, Boca never looked like they would lose and Grêmio appeared subdued before their own fans. The match was decided by, once again, Juan Román Riquelme, who scored an absolutely fantastic goal midway through the second half and then bundled in the second. (The first goal was of such quality that even significant sectors of the Brazilian audience applauded it.) Riquelme had a chance to complete a hat-trick when Boca won a penalty about 10 minutes from the end, but he graciously allowed Martín Palermo to take it, who went on to miss it wide right.
In the end, it's the sixth Copa Libertadores for Boca, one fewer than fellow Argentine club Independiente. To the surprise of no one, Riquelme was named man of the final series and won a new Toyota in the process.
In recent days, Riquelme has said that he is willing to consider a return to Argentina's national team. If he does come back and stays in his current form, it will be very difficult for the USA to defeat Argentina during the Copa America -- or any other team, for that matter.