Friday 30 April 2010

Copa Libertadores Round of 16 1st Legs

San Luís 0-1 Estudiantes
Guadalajara 3-0 Vélez Sársfield
Universitario 0-0 São Paulo
Flamengo 1-0 Corinthians
Banfield 3-1 Internacional
Cruzeiro 3-1 Nacional
Alianza Lima 0-1 Universidad de Chile
Once Caldas 0-0 Libertad

The two Mexicans club excluded after the Swine Flu outbreak last year made their bows in this years competition returning at the point in which they were excluded last year. They had mixed fortunes, San Luís went down to the holders Estudiantes after a 25th minute goal from Leandro González. Despite having Clemente Rodríguez sent off twenty minutes from time you'd expect Estudiantes to be favourites to progress. Vélez Sársfield came unstuck in a big way at Guadalajara. Omar Bravo put the home side ahead after 25 minutes and Vélez would probably have settled for that. A second from Bravo ten minutes from time doubled the Guadalajara lead and then in injury time Vélez had German Montoya sent off for a professional foul and Hector Reynoso slammed home the resulting penalty to give Guadalajara a convincing lead to take back to Argentina for the second leg.

No goals in Lima as São Paulo came away with a useful draw against Universitario. Richarlyson will miss the second leg though after picking up a red card twenty minutes into the second half. It the undoubted tie of the round it's advantage Flamengo after their 1-0 victory over Corinthians in the Maracanã. Flamengo, also under new management, did it the hard way after having Michael sent off after 37 minutes. The goal came from the penalty spot after Juan was tripped in the area by Moacir. Up stepped Adriano, the ball went past Julio Cesar and it's the slenderest of leads to take back to the Pacembeu next week.

Banfield continued their good run of form with a 3-1 win over Internacional. After a goalless first half James Rodriguez put Banfield ahead two minutes into the second half but three minutes later Kléber levelled for Inter. But Kléber was then sent off and Banfield went for the throat. Roberto Battion put Banfield ahead and Sebastian Fernández doubled the lead nine minutes from time. The only down point on an otherwise excellent night for Banfield was the sending off for Julio Barraza six minutes from time. Libertad gave themselves a chance of qualification after a goalless draw away at Once Caldas.

Last years runners up Cruzeiro put a toe in the last eight after a convinving victory against Nacional. Thiago Ribiero was the hero for the Brazilian side as his first half hat trick surely put the tie beyond Nacional. Mario Reguiero pulled a goal back for the Uruguayans six minutes into the second half to give them some hope for the second leg in Montevideo next week. Universidad de Chile continue to confound the critics, their 1-0 win in Peru against Alianza Lima was probably the result of the week. The only goal came four minutes from time from Diego Rivarola to give Universidad a valuable advantage.

The second legs take place next week.

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