A BALL BOY was made the star of the show after his genius assist helped Racing beat Corinthians 2-1 to reach their first continental final in 32 years.
The teenager’s quick-thinking set up the decisive goal that put Argentina‘s Racing Club into their first-ever Copa Sudamericana final – South America’s equivalent of the Europa League.
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His quick throw from a dead-ball waiting on a cone caught Brazil’s Corinthians napping on Thursday.
The youngster swiftly tossed the ball to Racing’s Maximiliano Salas, whose catapulted throw was headed on by striker Adrian Martinez.
Double goalscorer Juan Fernando Quintero picked up the pass and sat the goalkeeper down with a sleek finish in the 39th minute, to send the club into their first cup final for 32 years.
The lad, who had quickly turned away to jump over the advertising boards after he provided the ball, returned to the barrier after the goal.
Where he was greeted by a swarm of Racing players who had quickly turned to celebrate by cradling him over the pitch-side boards.
The 15-year-old, who plays for Racing’s academy side, is named Martin Santoro, according to reports in Argentina.
Santoro told Argentinan outlet Diario Ole: “The ball went off the pitch and I wasn’t sure whether to jump up or not.
“I got up and Salas asked me for it. I gave it to him quickly and he threw it in. The goal was exciting because it came from the ball that I quickly handed to him.”
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Corinthians opened the scoring in Buenos Aires with a back heel assist by former Man Utd star Memphis Depay to Yuri Alberto.
But Racing turned their fortunes around by converting a penalty in the 36th minute and three minutes later after the ball boys heroics.
The first leg in Sao Paulo last week ended 2-2, meaning the Argentines won 4-3 on aggregate.
And it sparked wild scenes on the final whistle and joyous fans let of flares and fireworks.
The stunning incident left fans claiming that Racing now have their own version of the Tottenham ball boy.
Young Spurs fan Callum Hynes was lauded for “assisting” Harry Kane‘s equaliser after quickly throwing the ball to Serge Aurier against Olympiacos in the Champions League in 2019.
The English youngster swiftly gave the ball to Serge Aurier, whose throw set up Lucas Moura’s cross for Kane to level after Spurs were 2-0 down.
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Then Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho invited Hynes to enjoy a pre-match meal with his players a few days later.
So let’s see if the young Argentinean ball boy will be rewarded with the same special treatment.
Racing face another Brazilian team in Cruzeiro, who reached the final after beating Argentina‘s Lanus 1-0 on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Depay’s side are currently fighting against relegation in the Brazilian championship, with seven games remaining.
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