Copa Libertadores - First Stage First Leg

Arsenal 3-0 Sport Huancayo
El Nacional 1-0 Libertad
Unión Española 1-0 UANL
Real Potosí 2-1 Flamengo
Internacional 1-0 Once Caldas
Peñarol 4-0 Caracas FC

The opening game of the 2012 Copa Santander Libertadores took place in Avellaneda on Tuesday night as Arsenal put one foot into Group Four with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Sport Huancayo of Peru. Jorge Córdoba put the Arsenal one up half way through the first half and Emilio Zelaya doubled the lead nine minutes before the break. Half way through the second half the home side were reduced to ten men when Carlos Carbonero was sent off but they grabbed a vital third two minutes from time when substitue Claudio Mosca struck five minutes after coming on. In Quito, El Nacional will take a slender advantage back to Asunción next week after a single goal victory over Libertad. Juan Luis Anangonó got the only goal of the game a minute before half time. There was also a single goal in Santiago as Unión Española grabbed an advantage to take back to Mexico next week after victory over UANL. Gonzalo Barriga with the goal just short of the hour as the teams compete for a place in Group Three.

A much changed Flamengo side from the one the opened up the Carioca at the weekend travelled to the highlands of Real Potosí with a place in Group Two up for grabs. The visitors were at full strength, but were lacking in match time but they took the lead on the half hour through Luiz Antonio. The lead lasted two minutes before Claudio Centurion levelled for Real and they gave themselves an advantage for the return at the Engenhão next week when Edgardo Brittes got a winner just short of the hour. If past reputations were anything to go by, this is the tie of the round as two former winners in Internacinal of Brazil and Once Caldas of Colombia met in Port Alegre with a spot in Group One up for grabs. It will be the 2010 champions who will take an advantage back to Caldas next week after Andre D'Alessandro set up Leandro Damião who continued his fine form of 2011 with the only goal of the game after twelve minutes. Last year's runner up Peñarol of Uruguay should take their place in Group 3 after rolling Caracas of Venezuela in Montevideo. Two goals in three minutes from Nicolas Freitas and Marcelo Zalayeta put the home side in control. João Pedro made it three twenty minutes after the break and Fabian Estoyanoff got a fourth twenty minutes from time. The night went from bad to worse for Caracas when Fidel Pérez was sent off eight minutes from time.

The second legs take place next week

Libertad v El Nacional
Sport Huancayo v Arsenal
Flamengo v Real Posotí - LIVE on Premier Sports TV
Once Caldas v Internacional
Caracas v Peñarol
UANL v Unión Española

Premier Sports TV is the home of the Copa Libertadores in the UK
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2012 Copa Libertadores Guide

Next week the the 53rd edition of the Copa Santader Libertadores will get underway in Buenos Aires when Arsenal take on Sport Huancayo in the first game of the qualifying round as 35 teams attempt to wrestle the crown away from last year's winner Santos of Brazil.

12 teams enter in the qualifying round with 26 teams going straight into the group phase. Brazil have six entries this year as holders Santos are guaranteed the chance to defend their title. Argentina have five entries and the rest of the associations, plus invitees Mexico have three qualifiers each.

These fixtures are dated to UK times and a game a week will be covered by Premier Sports TV. Friend of the site Will Downing will be up into the early hours calling the shots from the premier club competition in South America

Qualifying Round

Game 1: Arsenal (Argentina) v Sport Huancayo (Peru) Leg 1: 24 Jan, Leg 2: 31 Jan
Game 2: Real Potosí (Bolivia) v Flamengo (Brazil) Leg 1: 25 Jan, Leg 2: 1 Feb
Game 3: Peñarol (Uruguay) v Caracas FC (Venezuela) Leg 1: 26 Jan, Leg 2: 2 Feb
Game 4: El Nacional (Ecuador)v Libertad (Paraguay) Leg 1: 24 Jan, Leg 2: 31 Jan
Game 5: Internacional (Brazil) v Once Caldas (Colombia) Leg 1: 25 Jan, Leg 2: 1 Feb
Game 6: Unión Española (Chile) v UANL (Mexico) Leg 1: 25 Jan, Leg 2: 2 Feb

Group 1: Santos (Brazil), Juan Aurich (Peru), The Strongest (Bolivia), Winner Game 5

Feb 9: Winner Game 5 v Juan Aurich
Feb 15: The Strongest v Santos
Feb 24: The Strongest v Juan Aurich
Mar 8: Santos  v Winner Game 5
Mar 14: Juan Aurich v Santos
Mar 15: Winner Game 5 v The Strongest
Mar 21: The Strongest v Winner Game 5
Mar 23: Santos v Juan Aurich
Apr 5: Winner Game 5 v Santos
Apr 6: Juan Aurich v The Strongest
Apr 19: Juan Aurich v Winner Game 5
Apr 19 Santos v The Strongest

Group 2: Olimpia (Paraguay), Emelec (Ecuador), Lánus (Argentina), Winner Game 2

Feb 10: Emelec v Olimpia
Feb 16: Lanús v Winner Game 2
Feb 23: Olimpia v Lánus
Mar 9: Winner Game 2 v Emelec
Mar 13: Lanús v Emelec
Mar 16: Winner Game 2 v Olimpia
Mar 20: Emelec v Lánus
Mar 29: Olimpia v Winner Game 2
Apr 3: Lanús v Olimpia
Apr 5: Emelec v Winner Game 2
Apr 12: Olimpia v Emelec
Apr 12: Winner Game 2 v Lánus

Group 3: Bolívar (Bolivia), Atlético Junior (Colombia), Universidad Católica (Chile), Winner Game 6

Feb 9: Universidad Católica v Bolívar
Feb 10: Winner Game 6 v Atlético Junior
Feb 22: Bolívar v Winner Game 6
Feb 24: Universidad Católica v Atlético Junior
Mar 7: Winner Game 6 v Universidad Católica
Mar 9: Atlético Junior v Bolívar
Mar 21: Bolívar v Atlético Junior
Mar 29: Universidad Católica v Winner Game 6
Apr 6: Atlético Junior v Universidad Católica
Apr 11: Winner Game 6 v Bolívar
Apr 18: Atlético Junior v Winner Game 6
Apr 18: Bolívar v Universidad Católica

Group 4: Boca Juniors (Argentina), Zamora (Venezuela), Fluminense (Brazil), Winner Game 1

Feb 8: Fluminense v Winner Game 1
Feb 15: Zamora v Boca Juniors
Feb 22: Winner Game 1 v Zamora
Mar 8: Boca Juniors v Fluminense
Mar 14: Fluminense v Zamora
Mar 14: Winner Game 1 v Boca Juniors
Mar 29: Boca Juniors v Winner Game 1
Mar 30: Zamora v Fluminense
Apr 10: Zamora v Winner Game 1
Apr 12: Fluminense v Boca Juniors
Apr 18: Boca Juniors v Zamora
Apr 18: Winner Game 1 v Fluminense


Group 5: Nacional (Uruguay), Alianza Lima (Peru), Vasco da Gama (Brazil), Winner Game 4

Feb 9: Vasco da Gama v Nacional
Feb 10: Winner Game 4 v Alianza Lima
Feb 16: Nacional v Winner Game 4
Mar 7: Vasco da Gama v Alianza Lima
Mar 15: Winner Game 4 v Vasco da Gama
Mar 21: Alianza Lima v Nacional
Mar 22: Vasco da Game v Winner Game 4
Mar 27: Nacional v Alianza Lima
Apr 4: Alianza Lima v Vasco da Gama
Apr 5: Winner Game 5 v Nacional
Apr 13: Alianza Lima v Winner Game 4
Apr 13: Nacional v Vasco da Gama

Group 6: Corinthians (Brazil), Deportiva Táchira (Venezuela), Nacional (Paraguay), Cruz Azul (Mexico)

Feb 8: Nacional v Cruz Azul
Feb 16: Deportivo Táchira v Corinthians
Feb 22: Cruz Azul v Deportivo Táchira
Mar 8: Corinthians v Nacional
Mar 13: Nacional v Deportivo Táchira
Mar 15: Cruz Azul v Corinthians
Mar 22: Corinthians v Cruz Azul
Mar 28: Deportivo Táchira v Nacional
Apr 3: Deportivo Táchira v Cruz Azul
Apr 12: Nacional v Corinthians
Apr 19: Corinthians v Deportivo Táchira
Apr 19: Cruz Azul v Nacional

Group 7: Vélez Sarsfield (Argentina), Deportivo Quito (Ecuador), Defensor Sporting (Uruguay), CD Guadalajara (Mexico)

Feb 7: Defensor Sporting v Vélez Sarsfield
Feb 8: CD Guadalajara v Deportivo Quito
Feb 14: Defensor Sporting v Deportivo Quito
Feb 23: Vélez Sarsfield v CD Guadalajara
Mar 7: Deportivo Quito v Vélez Sarsfield
Mar 14: CD Guadalajara v Defensor Sporting
Mar 22: Vélez Sarsfield v Deportivo Quito
Mar 28: Defensor Sporting v CD Guadalajara
Apr 10: Deportivo Quito v Defensor Sporting
Apr 11: CD Guadalajara v Vélez Sarsfield
Apr 17: Deportivo Quito v CD Guadalajara
Apr 17: Vélez Sarsfield v Defensor Sporting

Group 8: Universidad de Chile (Chile), Atlético Nacional (Colombia), Godoy Cruz (Argentina), Winner Game 3

Feb 15: Atlético Nacional v Universidad De Chile
Feb 17: Godoy Cruz v Winner Game 3
Feb 21: Winner Game 3 v Atlético Nacional
Feb 22: Universidad de Chile v Godoy Cruz
Mar 6: Winner Game 3 v Universidad de Chile
Mar 9: Godoy Cruz v Atlético Nacional
Mar 23: Atlético Nacional v Godoy Cruz
Mar 30: Universidad de Chile v Winner Game 3
Apr 4: Godoy Cruz v Universidad de Chile
Apr 11: Atlético Nacional v Winner Game 3
Apr 20: Winner Game 3 v Godoy Cruz
Apr 20: Universidad de Chile v Atlético Nacional

Round of 16 First Leg: Week commencing 30th April
Round of 16 Second Leg: Week commencing 7th May
Quarter Final First Leg: Week commencing 14th May
Quarter Final Second Leg: Week commencing 21st May
Semi Final First Leg: Week commencing 11th June
Semi Final Second Leg: Week commencing 18th June
Final First Leg: Week commencing 25th June
Final Second Leg: Week commencing 2nd July

Premier Sports TV is the home of the Copa Libertadores in the UK
You can subscribe at www.premiersports.tv or by calling 0871 663 9000

Ex-pat Of The Week #6

Welcome back. As the leagues around Europe crank back into action, it's time to have a first look at those making their way in the game away from South American shores and make note of those who are doing it rather well. Yes, it's the first Ex-pat Of The Week* for 2012. Here are your nominees:

Ricardo Álvarez. Diego Milito - the forgotten man at Internazionale - may have bagged a brace, but the architect of their 5-0 win over Parma was fellow Argentine Alvarez. This was Inter's fifth win in a row which saw them climb to fifth place in Serie A, a great tonic to begin 2012 this way after the season started so badly.
Erik Lamela. Meanwhile, in the Coppa Italia, Roma's Argentine midfielder Lamela continued his emergence at the top level with a starring role against Fiorentina, capped by two goals.
Diego Lugano. A winning start for Carlo Ancelotti at PSG and he was indebted to two South Americans. Javier Pastore put the oil-rich Parisians ahead against fifth division St-Colomban, but they were begged back by a second half penalty. Lugano popped up with a winner two minutes into stoppage time to spare blushes all round in what could prove to be a significant result.
Óscar Cardozo. The Benfica striker has hit the ground running after the winter break, steering his side to a win in the League Cup and chipping in as they beat União de Leiria 4-0 to return to the top of the Liga Zon Sagres.
Gonzalo Castro. The league isn't yet back up and running in Spain, but the Copa del Rey round of 16 took place during the week. Mallorca trailed 2-0 to Real Sociedad after the first leg in San Sebastian and back on the island, they improved the lead with an early Diego Ifrán strike. Cue a nost impressive comeback as Los Bermellones stormed back with six unanswered goals, Uruguayan midfielder Castro getting the first to get the ball rolling and the fourth, which but Mallorca ahead in the tie for the first time.

And the winner is...
Erik Lamela. We like this boy and he's getting better and better. This was his best performance for the Giallorossi to date and we hope there are plenty more to come.


* - we really could use a better name for this feature than that. Any suggestions? That and nominations for next week's award, chuck us a line on Twitter or leave us a comment below.

Copa Sudamericana - Semi Final Second Leg

Vélez Sarsfield 0-1 LDU Quito
LDU Quito advances 6-0 on points
Universidad de Chile 2-0 Vasco da Gama
Universidad de Chile advances 4-1 on points

2009 Champions LDU Quito are back in the final after holding off the challenge of Vélez Sarsfield in Buenos Aires on Tuesday night. Vélez needed an early goal to get them back in the tie and Guillermo Franco blew a great chance to put them ahead when left unmarked at the back post. It was all out attack from the home side and the consequence of that was leaving gaps at the back as Paul Ambrosi and Hernan Barcos went close for the visitors. Vélez came close just before the break but Alex Domínquez in the LDU goal kept his side in the tie with a save from Hector Canteros. The break through came four minutes after the break, Neicer Reasco with the cross before from good control and a powerful shot from Hernan Barcos flew past Marcelo Barovero to silence the home crowd and put LDU in total control of the tie. It knocked the stuffing out of the home side, now needing four goals in forty minutes to reach the final couldn't find a response and we lucky not to go further behind when Enqique Gamez blew an ideal opportunity to put LDU two ahead.

Vasco da Gama were unhappy before a ball was kicked in Santiago as Universidad de Chile moved their game from the National Stadium to their traditional home at the Estadio Santa Laura claiming the venue wasn't up to holding the fixture. The game started in a similar vein to last week's clash in the São Januário as both teams went at each other hammer and tongs looking for that vital first goal. Juninho Pernambucano was a constant threat from dead ball situations but Vasco didn't take their chances. La U went ahead just after the half hour, a shot from Fransico Castro was parried by Fernando Prass in the Vasco goal and Gustavo Canales was first onto the rebound to fire home from a sharp angle and send the home fans wild. Vasco almost levelled just after the break but La U goalkeeper Jhonny Herrera was in top form and Eduardo Vargas should have ended it up chipped over the keeper and wide of the post. Vasco's task became harder twenty minutes from time when Fágner was dismissed for an elbow on Canales and two minutes later Vargas made up for his earlier miss when he finished off a great team move to get his eighth goal in the competition. It was fifth time lucky for La U in continental semi finals as they made the final of a CONMEBOL competition for the first time in their history.

The first leg of the final takes place at the Casa Blanca in Quito next week before the return leg in Santiago the week after. Kick off times have yet to be confirmed.

Premier Sports TV is the home of South American football in the UK
You can subscribe at www.premiersports.tv or by calling 0871 633 9000

Copa Sudamericana - Semi Final First Leg

Vasco da Gama 1-1 Universidad de Chile
LDU Quito 2-0 Vélez Sarsfield

Vasco da Gama's home form in the Sudamericana had been pretty damned impressive. Three victories and fifteen goals scored in the process so when La U returned to the city of their stunning 4-0 success against Flamengo five weeks ago it wasn't the easiest game in the world to call. Vasco took a deserved lead with 33 minutes gone. Allan attacked down the middle of the pitch and his pass took a wicked deflection off Gustavo Lorenzetti. Bernardo got to the ball first, and his turn and shot beat Jhonny Herrera and into the left hand corner of the net. It was the first time that U de Chile had trailed in an away leg so far this season but they came out with a purpose in the second half and got themselves back into the tie, and a valuable away goal, ten minutes from time. A free kick from Marcelo Diaz dropped around the penalty spot, Fernando Prass got caught in no mans land and Osvaldo González headed home to get the vital goal.

At the Casa Blanca the night after, 2009 champions LDU Quito gained a huge advantage as they will take a two goal cushion back to Buenos Aires next week against Vélez Sarsfield. After a score less first half, LDU took the lead after Vélez lost possession deep in their own half and Hernan Barcos surged upfield and his shot from 25 yards out flew into the corner of the goal. The Argentinian strike doubled his teams lead six minutes from time as a great passing move split the Vélez defence before his shot from a tight angle flew in at Marcelo Barovero's near post. It was a cruel blow for Ricardo Gareca's side who will have it all to do in the return leg next week.

The second legs take place next week and both will be live on Premier Sports TV

Vélez Sarsfield v LDU Quito - Wednesday 0015GMT
Universidad de Chile v Vasco da Gama - Wednesday 2350GMT

Premier Sports TV is the home of live South American football in the UK
You can subscribe at www.premiersports.tv or by calling 0871 663 9000

Copa Sudamericana - Week 16

Libertad 1-0 LDU Quito
3-3 on points, LDU Quito advances 5-4 on penalties
Universidad de Chile 3-0 Arsenal
Universidad de Chile advances 6-0 on points

2009 winners LDU Quito made it through to a semi final clash against Vélez Sarsfield after needing penalties to get past Libertad of Paraguay in Asunción. LDU Quito came to the Estadio Dr. Nicolás Leoz quite happy to park the bus and hang on to their first leg advantage. With LDU moments away from going through courtesy that Luis Bolaños fluke last week Libertad levelled the tie in the last minute of regulation when a headed goal from Pablo Velazquez rescued them. No extra time is played at this stage of the competition so it was straight to penalty kicks. With LDU Quito first up to the plate the first four kicks were successful before Bernardo Medina saved Diego Calderón's poor effort. Uruguayan Omar Pouso put Libertad ahead before Jorge Guagua levelled again. The LDU keeper, Alexander Domínguez, saved from Ignacio Canuto to level it at 3-3 after 4 kicks. It was basically sudden death from here on in, Hernan Barcos edged LDU ahead before goalkeeper Medina sent it into official sudden death. Neicer Reasco confidently put LDU in the box seat before a poor penalty from substitute Manuel Maciel was saved easily by Domínguez to sent LDU through to the last four.

In the National Stadium in Santiago, Univerdidad de Chile made it through to the last four when they brushed aside the challenge of Arsenal of Argentina. Eduardo Vargas put La U ahead with just ten minutes on the clock and Fernando Castro doubled the lead in injury time at the end of the first half. Gustavo Canales for the third eleven minutes after the break to wrap up a comfortable passage for the Chilean Champions. Frustration got the better of the Arsenal side and Luciano Leguizamón was sent off with 65 minutes gone just four minutes after coming on for Nicolas Aguirre.

The Semi Final begin next week, with both games to be covered by Premier Sports TV. Dates and times have yet to be confirmed.

Universidad de Chile v Vasco da Gama
LDU Quito v Vélez Sarsfield

Premier Sports TV is the home of South American football in the UK
You can subscribe at www.premiersports.tv or by calling 0871 663 9000

Uruguay steal a march

Picking up where we left off last month, the road to Brazil continued with another double round of fixtures and it was all about as South American as you've come to expect.

Round 3

Argentina 1-1 Bolivia
Uruguay 4-0 Chile
Paraguay 2-1 Ecuador
Colombia 1-1 Venezuela

The main stories of the third round of fixtures in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying competition both centred around the game in Montevidéo where Chile were the visitors and it was they who made the early headlines as the game happened to coincide with the baptism of Jorge Valdivia's daughter. A joyous occasion, no doubt, and one that Valdivia enjoyed in the company of his team-mates Gonzalo Jara, Arturo Vidal, Carlos Carmona and Jean Beausejour to the point that they rocked up to the team hotel after curfew and a touch the worse for wear. Manager Claudio Borghi summarily sent the lot of them home. Jara was an injury doubt for both games and Beausejour was suspended for the Uruguay match, but all five are big players for the country and would be missed. Meanwhile, Luis Suárez was about to put his issues emanating from Liverpool's Premier League clash with Manchester United some weeks ago behind him and come up with his finest display for his nation as he bagged all four goals as Uruguay routed the sorry Chileans. His first came three minutes before the interval, a low, scudding shot from 20 yards that found the bottom corner and he made it two in first-half stoppage time. Gaston Ramirez put pressure on Chile keeper Claudio Bravo who dropped a cross at the feet of Edinson Cavani whose attempted lob was headed off the line. Suárez was following in though and nodded it back past the defence for a 2-0 half-time lead. Midway through the second half and Suárez completed his hat-trick with a superb header following some great work up the right hand side from Diego Pérez and Martín Cáceres who supplied the killer ball. And the fourth followed six minutes later, though Suárez did rather nick it off Cavani's toes as he smacked it right-footed from the edge of the box.
With Peru the side to sit the third round of games out, Uruguay's big rivals for top spot failed to match la Celeste's result which left them clear at the top. Most surprising was Argentina's draw at the Monumental with lowly Bolivia - very much the least fancied side in the competition. Argentina battered them. Chance after chance came and went - Javier Pastore, Gonzalo Higuaín and Lionel Messi all went close - and they had the ball in the net twice, but were twice pulled back for offside. That failure to take chances bit them hard when Marcelo Martins seized on some lackadaisical defensive work from Martín Demichelis and fired Bolivia ahead. Ezequiel Lavezzi came on following the goal and brought Argentina level almost immediately with a beautifully curled effort from the edge of the box.
Without star man Radamel Falcao, Colombia could only manage a draw against fast-improving Venezuela, but Fredy Guarín put them ahead with an early thunderbolt from all of 30 yards. They couldn't find a second though and were made to pay late on as a long ball wasn't dealt with and substitute Frank Feltscher nipped in to level it up in the Barranquilla downpour.
Paraguay notched their first win of the campaign at home to Ecuador and were ahead a couple of minutes into the second half as Cristian Riveros got round the back to meet a deep free-kick and turn it in. Ten minutes later and another set piece undid Ecuador, Dario Veron with a splendid diving header to double the lead. Ecuador did get one back late on, Joao Rojas walking past a statuesque defence to get on the end of an Edison Méndez cross and head in.

Round 4

Colombia 1-2 Argentina (some jerky footage - careful if you suffer from vertigo)
Ecuador 2-0 Peru
Chile 2-0 Paraguay
Venezuela 1-0 Bolivia

Uruguay, unbeaten in the competition, sat out round four safe in the knowledge that someone would have to go golo-loco to dislodge them from top spot and went off to Italy for a friendly. Which they won. They are, however, joined at the top of the standings on seven points by two other nations.
Argentina needed a late, late winner from Sergio Agüero to see off a determined Colombia side, still without star man Falcao. They had to come from behind as well after Colombia went ahead in the last minute of the first half through Dorlan Pabon's free-kick from the edge of the box, though the final touch was Javier Mascherano's, just enough to turn it past Sergio Roméro. Cometh the hour; cometh the man. Lionel Messi hasn't been getting the praise by his countrymen that we Europeans are used to dishing out to him, but he started the move that got Argentina back into it. He took it past two men and shipped the ball wide for José Sosa. His cross was too near David Ospina, the Colombian keeper, but he couldn't hold it. Messi, following through, tidied up and squared matters. And that's how it looked to be staying until Messi, again, took on the defence and fed Gonzalo Higuaín. His shot wasn't held - again Ospina at fault - and Agüero swooped to snatch the win.
The other side that join the favourites on seven points are everyone's new favourite underdogs Venezuela. Bolivia had the better of the early exchanges, but found Renny Vega in inspired form in the Vinotinto goal. On their first real foray into Bolivian territory, Venezuela earned a corner which was met with a towering header by Oswaldo Vizcarrondio - not for the first time this campaign - for the opening goal. The second half was wide open, but Bolivia didn't work Vega enough and Venezuela held out for a well-earned win and a share of top spot that their steady improvement over the last four years has warranted. Bolivia look to have no chance.
Two late goals helped Ecuador get past Peru and into fourth place. Cristian Benitez laid the first on a plate for Edison Méndez after a surging run down the middle of the park and Benitez finished the second after brilliant work from Jaime Avoyí down the left hand side. Chile put their disappointments from the Uruguay game behind them with a morale-boosting win over Paraguay. A Matías Fernández corner was met with a bullet header by Pablo Contreras midway through the first half to give Chile the lead. They wrapped up the three points late on as Mauricio Isla teed up Matias Campos whose 20-yard effort took a huge deflection to loop over Diego Barreto and in for 2-0.

The competition goes into cold storage now until June next year when everyone will reconvene for another double-header.
On June 1st 2012, they line up like this:
Argentina v Ecuador
Bolivia v Chile
Peru v Colombia
Uruguay v Venezuela

And a week later, it's:
Bolivia v Paraguay
Venezuela v Chile
Uruguay v Peru
Ecuador v Colombia

Copa Sudamericana - Week 15

Vasco da Gama 5-2 Universitario
3-3 on points, Vasco da Gama advances on goal difference
Vélez Sarsfield 3-2 Santa Fe
Vélez Sarsfield advances 4-1 on points

Now we mentioned last week that taking a two goal lead to the São Januário sometimes isn't enough. Well having a three goal lead on aggregate in the São Januário isn't enough either after a remarkable Vasco da Gama fightback saw them qualify to the semi finals at the expense of Universitario of Peru. Vasco took the lead half way through the first half when Diego Souza converted from the spot but ten minutes later the visitors were level on the night when Raul Ruidíaz finished off a sweeping counter attack. The second half started with both side being reduced to ten men when Souza was dismissed alongside Antonio González of Universitario after a few verbal hangbags. The visitors then stunned the home fans when they went three up on aggregate two minutes later when Jesus Rabanal long range shot took a deflection off Dedé. A header from Elton a minutes later levelled matters on the night and Dedé edged Vasco ahead three minutes short of the hour after a horrific goalkeeping error. Rabanal became the second scorer on the night to be sent off when he saw red on the hour and a Dedé header levelled the tie on goals seventeen minutes from time. Universitario were still on their way through thanks to the away goals rule but eight minutes from time Alecsandro converted a Juninho Pernambucano corner to leave the home side still dreaming of a possible treble success.

Vélez Sarsfield advanced to the semi-finals after a controversial second leg victory over Santa Fe in Buenos Aires. Following the 1-1 draw last week a penalty shoot out was soon deemed unnecessary when a brace from former West Ham player Guillermo Franco put Vélez two up inside the opening twenty minutes. The first a header after a shot had bounced off the woodwork and the second a cool finish after a sweet back heel in the build up. In their first appearance at this state Wilson Gutierrez's Santa Fe side were determined to keep plugging away. Jonathan Copete's toe poker got Santa Fe back the game a minute after the break before an Omar Pérez penalty put the visitors ahead on away goals half way through the second half and a shock was on the cards. In injury time Vélez got out of jail when referee Enrique Osses pointed to the spot for the second time in the game and Juan Martínez held his nerve under huge pressure and netted the penalty to send Vélez through to the last four.

Next week the semi final line up is completed with both games covered by Premier Sports TV

Libertad v LDU Quito - Thursday 2215 GMT
Universidad de Chile v Arsenal - Friday 0045 GMT

The Semi final draw is currently as follows....

Vélez Sarsfield v LDU Quito/Libertad
Universidad de Chile/Arsenal v Vasco da Gama

If Arsenal qualify next week then the semi finals will be

Vélez Sarsfield v Arsenal
Vasco da Gama v LDU Quito/Libertad

Premier Sports TV is the home of South American football in the UK
You can subscribe at www.premiersports.tv or by calling 0871 663 9000

Copa Sudamericana - Week 14

Santa Fe 1-1 Vélez Sarsfield 
Universitario 2-0 Vasco da Gama
Arsenal 1-2 Universidad de Chile
LDU Quito 1-0 Libertad 

The Quarter Finals got underway this week with all the action beamed back to the UK on Premier Sports TV. In Bogotá on Tuesday night Santa Fe and Vélez Sarsfield got the action underway and it will be the Argentinian side who will be the happier going into the second leg. A free kick Gerardo Beyoda from 30 yards out left Vélez keeper rooted to the spot after a deflection to send the large home crowd wild. Vélex stuck in there and levelled  fourteen minutes from time when a drive from the edge of the area from David Ramírez found the corner of the net. Santa Fe goalscorer Beyoda will though miss the second leg when he was sent off six minutes from time. Vasco da Gama really do have more pressing engagements domestically so it was not the strongest side that made the trip to Callao to take on Universitario. The home side took the lead eight minutes before the break when Manuel Ruidíaz converted from the spot. Universitario doubled their lead on the hour when Johan Fano sprung the offside trap and poked the ball past Fernando Prass in the Vasco goal. As Aurora know, a two goal lead going to the São Januário sometimes isnt enough to see you through.

In Avellaneda, Arsenal entertained the conquerors of Flamengo, Universidad de Chile. A small crowd greeted the early kick off at the Estadio Julio Humberto Grondona and the first half didnt live up to much until La U took the lead in first hald injury time. Eduardo Vargas springing the offside trap and just beating Cristian Camestrini in the Arsenal goal to the ball before rolling it into an empty net. The home side were level two minutes after the break Mauro Obolo tapping in from three yards out after Lisandro López found space down the left hand side. La U though will take a lead back to Santiago next week after Gustavo Canales converted from the spot eight minutes from time to leave the Chilean side in the box seat for next week. Finally in Quito, 2009 winners LDU will take a single goal lead to Asunción next week after a late strike from substitue Luis Bolaños gave them victory over Libertad. The visitors were determined to go to the second leg level but missed their fair share of chances in the game. The game though was decided by a moment of luck or skill, call it what you want. It looked nothing more than a harmless hopeful cross from Luis Bolaños but it looped over Bernardo Medina in the Libertad goal and into the net for a vital lead.

Two of the second legs take place next week with the others the week after and all games will be covered by Premier Sports TV

Vasco da Gama v Universitario
Libertad v LDU Quito

Premier Sports TV is the home of South American Football in the UK
You can subscribe at www.premiersports.tv or by calling 0871 663 9000

Copa Sudamericana week 12

Round of 16, first leg


São Paulo 1-0 Libertad
Flamengo 0-4 Universidad de Chile

Luís Fabiano is back in a São Paulo shirt, seven years after embarking on his European adventure with Porto and Sevilla. This was game number four for the striker in his second spell with his home-town club and goal number one, the lone strike enough to hand São Paulo the advantage over Libertad of Paraguay. With time running out at the Morumbi, Fabiano pulled the ball down expertly on his chest and cracked it left-footed into the roof of the net.
Fellow Brazilians Flamengo are staring down the barrel having been comprehensively outplayed at home by Universidad de Chile. It started badly enough as a long-range shot from José Manuel Rojas was turned onto the post by Fla keeper Felipe, but it came back, struck Felipe on the back of the legs and went in for a most unfortunate own goal. Fifteen minutes later and Fla were down to ten as Airton was sent off for a challenge on Osvaldo González and by half-time they were three down as Eduardo Vargas bagged two late in the half. The first owed much to the work of Eugenio Mena down the left, but the second was all Vargas who created havoc in the defence with some direct running and a good show of strength. The numbers were levelled up five minutes into the second half as Francisco Castro was sent off for a foul on Willians, but Fla couldn't find a way back into the match and it was put to bed with twenty to go as Univ. de Chile hit a fourth when some dizzying passing around the Flamengo box ended with Gustavo Lorenzetti getting bored and just smashing it past a statuesque Felipe.

Round of 16, second leg

Arsenal 3-2 Olimpia
Arsenal advance 4-1 on points
Universitario 1-1 Godoy Cruz
Universitario advance 3-2 on penalties
Vélez Sarsfield 1-1 Universidad Católica
Vélez advance 4-1 on points

After a goalless draw in Asunción, Arsenal were always favourites to progress in the return leg at Avellande and, for most of the first half, it looked like being a cruise. Cristian Trombetta thumped in a rocket of a header from 12 yards on the quarter hour to put Arsenal ahead and a delightful lob from Emilio Zelaya doubled the lead five minutes later. Back came Olimpia though and it was 2-2 by the interval as Pablo Zeballo struck twice. The first was a brilliant free-kick from 20 yards while the second was pure predator, swooping on a parried save by Arsenal keeper Cristian Campestrini. Five minutes from time and Gustavo Blanco headed what proved to be the winner, albeit from the most offside position you could wish to see. The travelling support were justifiably aggrieved, but it's Arsenal who progress.
One apiece in Mendoza three weeks ago and one apiece in Callao this week meant Universitario and Godoy Cruz needed a penalty shoot-out to decide their tie. Before that, Israel Damonte put Godoy ahead on the stroke of half-time with a bullet header. Heading down the stretch, that looked like being decisive until Andy Polo's looping header took Godoy keeper Sebastian Torrico out of the equation and levelled the scores. In the shoot-out, Leandro Caruso went first and put Godoy ahead, but Alberto Gálvan equalised with Universitario's first. Jorge Curbelo made it 2-1 before Martin Morel missed to hand Godoy the advantage. Ariel Rojas couldn't make the advantage stick as he missed, but so did Pablo Vitti with Universitario's third. The miss-a-thon continued as Nicolas Sanchez wasted Godoy's fourth which allowed Raúl Ruidíaz to level it up at 2-2. Damonte missed Godoy's fifth which allowed Jesus Rabanal to step up and send Universitario through 3-2.
The damage was done for Vélez in the first leg with a 2-0 in Santiago and the return leg saw them retain the control over Chile's Universidad Católica established there. Gonzalo Sepúlveda's 25-yarder pulled one back for La Católica, but Vélez didn't panic and sealed the deal with a late header from Fernando Ortiz to send them into the quarter-finals.


Next week sees more second leg ties from the Round of 16 and here's how they line up:

Santa Fe x Botafogo
Vasco da Gama x Aurora
Libertad x São Paulo
Universidad de Chile x Flamengo - at time of writing, scheduled for coverage by Premier Sports TV. Check website for further details.

Premier Sports TV is the home of South American football in the UK
You can subscribe at www.premiersports.tv or by calling 0871 663 9000

Copa Sudamericana week 11

Independiente 1-0 LDU Quito
3-3 on points, LDU Quito advances on goal difference

The Premier Sports TV cameras were present to witness holders Independiente make an exit at their first stage of the competition after failing to overcome a two goal first leg deficit against 2009 champions LDU Quito of Ecuador. The home side made nine changes from the team beaten in Quito a fortnight ago as they went for all out attack in order to try and progress into the last eight. The only goal of the game came on the stroke of half time when a deflected shot from Leonel Núñez found the back of the net. In the second half Independiente pushed for the second goal that would take the tie to a penalty shoot out but the LDU Quito defence was strong and frustration got the better of the home side when Fernando Godoy was shown a straight red card three minutes from time for a poor challenge on Claudio Bieler.
LDU Quito will now face the winner of the tie between São Paulo of Brazil and Libertad of Paraguay in the quarter finals.

Next week

Round of Sixteen First Leg

São Paulo v Libertad - LIVE on Premier Sports TV
Flamengo v Universidad de Chile

Round of Sixteen Second Leg
Arsenal v Olimpia
Universitario v Godoy Cruz
Vélez Sarsfield v Universidad Católica

Premier Sports TV is the home of South American football in the UK
Coming soon to Premier Sports TV, 10 live games a week from the National Hockey League
You can subscribe at www.premiersports.tv or by calling 0871 663 9000

On the (short) road to Brazil

With Brazil hosting the 2014 World Cup, the single-pool South American qualifying competition is reduced to nine countries. The top four still qualify and potentially a fifth after a play-off against the fifth-ranked team from the Asian qualifying competition. It all got underway last weekend and here's how it went down.

Round 1

Uruguay 4-2 Bolivia
Ecuador 2-0 Venezuela
Argentina 4-1 Chile
Peru 2-0 Paraguay

New South American champions Uruguay got off to a flying start with a comfortable win over the one side unlikely to make a push for the top five, Bolivia. Luis Suárez fired La Celeste ahead as early as the fourth minute, scrambling the ball home from a corner. Though Rudy Cardozo levelled up 14 minutes later, swooping on a lovely chipped through-ball, Uruguay were back in full control by half-time as Diego Lugano and Edinson Cavani established something of a buffer. Lugano's looping header was too good for Bolivian keeper Carlos Arias and Cavani converted a deep cross with a stooping header for 3-1. Arias came and missed a cross 18 minutes from time allowing Lugano to prod home from a couple of feet. A late penalty from Marcelo Martins was nothing but consolation. Argentina also hit four in destroying Chile with Gonzalo Higuaín bagging a hat-trick. The Real Madrid striker fired his side in front in the 8th minute as Chile were caught out by a swift counter-attack. The finish was measured and precise. He turned provider for the second, slipping a lovely ball through for his captain Lionel Messi to make it 2-0 before being the poacher again shortly after the break for the third with a nice finish on the turn. Matias Fernandez took advantage of some flap merchanting from Argentina keeper Mariano Andújar to pull one back, but Higuaín had the last word with his third, laid on a plate for him by Messi.
Elsewhere, 2-0 home wins were order of the day. Venezuelan coach César Farías left out a few of his bigger players for the trip to Quito - perhaps a calculated risk with the game at home to Argentina just a few days later. Jaime Avoyí put Ecuador ahead after quarter of an hour, being the first to react after a shot came back off the post to him and Cristian Benítez doubled the lead just before the half hour mark with another header. The Venezuelan defence - without Fernando Amorebieta and Roberto Rosales - were all at sea for both. And the Vinotinto ended with ten men after José Manuel Rey's second booking late on. Two second-half goals from SV Hamburg forward Paolo Guerrero earned Peru all three points from their home clash with Paraguay. He capitalised on good work from Jefferson Farfán for the first, but still had work to do to weave through three defenders and finish low from a tight angle. The second owed to the persistence of Claudio Pizarro who worked his way to the byeline and dug out a cross which found Guerrero unmarked six yards out. The question now is how Hamburg get their player, who has a Dennis Bergkamp/BA Baracus-esque fear of flying, back to Germany for next weekend's Bundesliga clash.


Round 2


Bolivia 1-2 Colombia
Paraguay 1-1 Uruguay
Chile 4-2 Peru
Venezuela 1-0 Argentina

On an historic night in Puerto La Cruz, La Vintinto recorded their first ever win against Argentina. And good value for it they were, though Alex Sabella's men did look jaded after a 4000 mile trip from Buenos Aires up to the far north of the continent. Athletic Bilbao defender Fernando Amoerbieta was the hero, heading in the only goal of the game from Juan Arango's corner - Arango making his 100th appearance for his country - on the hour. Game of the night was in Santiago in a quite scintillating game between two of the continents great entertainers. Waldo Ponce turned in an early corner and Eduardo Vargas stabbed home for 2-0 in the 18th minute. Gary Medel blazed in a third before Peru - who had already struck the frame of the goal twice and would do so again before the end - struck back through Claudio Pizarro. On the hour, it became 3-2 as Jefferson Farfán pounced, but the matter was settled by an Humberto Suazo penalty late on.
Uruguay were held in Asunción after going ahead through Diego Forlán who tapped in what was probably his easiest ever international goal. Paraguay piled forward in response and Fernando Muslera was kept very busy in the Uruguay goal, but an almighty goalmouth scramble deep in stoppage time saw Richard Ortiz gain the decisive touch and earn his side a draw. Colombia, in their first game having sat out the first round of fixtures, needed a late, late Radamel Falcao goal to snatch a win in La Paz. The Bolivian capital is never an easy place to go even when, as now, their national team isn't in great shape, so it could prove a vital win in the final analysis. Colombia were the better side throughout, but only had Dorlan Pabon early in the second half to show for it when, with five minutes remaining, Walter Flores slammed in a screamer from 20 yards. Falcao started on the bench, and his fresher legs stretched the Bolivian rearguard to find space and time in the box two minutes into stoppage time. He doesn't miss those.

Standings

1st, Uruguay, 4pts, +2GD; 2nd, Argentina, 3, +2; 3rd, Ecuador, 3, +2; 4th, Colombia, 3, +1; 5th, Peru, 3, ±0; 6th, Chile, 3, -1; 7th, Venezuela, 3, -1; 8th, Paraguay, 1, -2; 9th, Bolivia, 0, -3


Next time

We reconvene in November with one round on Thursday the 10th and another on Monday the 14th and they line up like this:

Round 3
Argentina v Bolivia
Paraguay v Ecuador
Uruguay v Chile
Colombia v Venezuela

Round 4
Colombia v Argentina
Venezuela v Bolivia
Chile v Paraguay
Ecuador v Peru

Copa Sudamericana week 10

Round of Sixteen First Leg

Universidad Católica 0-2 Vélez Sarsfield
Aurora 3-1 Vasco da Gama

Only two games in the Sudamericana this week and they were both held last night. First up and in front of the Premier Sports TV cameras Vélez Sarsfield took a big step to the last eight when they defeated Universidad Católica in Santiago. Former West Ham United striker Guillermo Franco put Vélez ahead with fifteen minutes gone and Iván Bella doubled the lead three minutes before the break to put the visitors in control. Universidad Católica came out fighting in the second half looking for a goal to get them back into the tie but they could not breach the Vélez defence. The return leg is in two weeks time.

Vasco da Gama showed their priority is the Brasilerão as they sent a reserve side to Cochabamba to take on Bolivian side Aurora. It was though, the Brazilian league leaders who took the lead when Bernardo struck five minutes before the break. The home side levelled five minutes after the break through Aquilino Villalba and substitute Augusto Andaveris put Aurora ahead seven minutes later. Villalba then got himself sent off for a second yellow card half way through the half but the ten men extended their lead when Jair Reinoso made it three sixteen minutes from time. The second leg is in the São Januário in three weeks time.

Last night it was announced that Premier Sports TV will show every game from the quarter final stage onwards live.

Next week sees just a single game

Round of Sixteen Second Leg

Independiente v LDU Quito - Live on Premier Sports TV

Premier Sports TV is the home of South American Football in the UK
You can subscribe at www.premiersports.tv or by calling 0871 663 9000

Copa Sudamericana week 9

LDU Quito 2-0 Independiente
Olimpia 0-0 Arsenal
Godoy Cruz 1-1 Universitario
Botafogo 1-1 Santa Fe

Holders Independiente of Argentina made their bow in the competition at the Round of 16 stage and they had a tough trip to La Casa Blanca in Quito to face the 2009 winners LDU. The Premier Sports TV cameras were in town for the tie of the round and it was the home side who took a decisive advantage to take back to Allenvenda in two weeks time. Paul Ambrosini put LDU Quito ahead three minutes before the break when he was the spare man in the box and seven mintues after the break a Luis Bolaños stunner made it two. No goals in Asunción as three times Copa Libertadores champions Olimpia drew with 2007 winners Arsenal of Argentina. It's advantage Olimpia for the return match in three weeks time.

Universitario of Peru were within two minutes of claiming victory against Godoy Cruz in Mendoza. A tight game came to life in the last nine minutes when Universitario countered and Raul Ruidíaz was on the end of the move to slot home. However two minutes from time Gonzale Cabrera levelled for the home side but the away goal in the bag and the second leg played at altitude the Peruvian side will fancy their chances. After knocking out Colombian rivals Deportivo Cali last week Santa Fe stunned the Botafogo fans in the Engenhão when they grabbed an away goal and the lead with just eight minutes gone. Argentinian striker Omar Pérez with the goal that put Santa Fe in control of the tie. Botafogo, despite the usual attitude of Brazilian clubs to this competition, were fielding a pretty strong side and they finally levelled half way through the second half. Caio with the goal just four minutes after arriving from the bench.

The Round of Sixteen continues next week with two games and they line up like this

Universidad Católica v Vélez Sarsfield - LIVE on Premier Sports TV - Wednesday 2315
Aurora v Vasca da Gama

Premier Sports TV is the home of South American Football in the UK
You can subscribe at www.premiersports.tv or by calling 0871 663 9000

Copa Sudamericana - Week 6

Second Stage First Leg

Universidad Católica 2-1 Deportes Iquique

In Santiago the all Chilean clash between Universidad Católica and Deportes Iquique went the way of the home side. Universidad Católica sprang out of the blocks and by the time Milovan Mirosevic headed them ahead seven minutes before the break they had already hit the woodwork three times. Universidad Católica doubled their lead six minutes after the break when Enzo Andía's back header found the back of the net but Deportes Iquique gave themselves a chance for next week's return when Michael Rios fired home from the edge of the box.

Second Stage Second leg

Estudiantes 1-0 Arsenal
3-3 on points, Arsenal advances on goal difference
Godoy Cruz 0-0 Lanús
2-2 on points, Godoy Cruz advances on the away goal rule
Vélez Sarsfield 4-0 Argentinos Juniors
Vélez Sarsfield advances 4-1 on points

2007 Champions Arsenal made it into the Round of Sixteen despite defeat to the 2008 winners Estudiantes. Two goals down from the first leg, it took Estudiantes over an hour to reduce the deficit, Matias Sánchez firing home after the ball fell to him unmarked in the area. Four minutes later Mariano Gonzáles of Estudiantes was sent off for a second yellow card and although Estudiantes pressed they couldn't fine the goal to take it to penalties. They did though, have a strong case for a penalty eight minutes from time when Mauro Boselli was felled in the box but it was waved away by the referee. No goals in Mendoza as Godoy Cruz made it into the last sixteen on the back of their two away goals against Lanús last week. The nearest to a goal came in the twenty eight minute when Lanús struck the crossbar but both goalkeepers were on fine form as well. The Premier Sports TV cameras were at the Estadio José Amalfitani as Vélez Sarsfield crusied into the last sixteen with a comfortable victory over Argentinos Juniors. Vélez took the lead with twenty three minutes gone when a great run from Juan Manuel Martínez set up Guillermo Franco to head home. They doubled the lead ten minutes after the break after poor passing at the back by Argentinos Juniors let in Augusto Fernandez and his shot looped into the goal. Fifteen minutes from time Martínez made it three from the penalty spot and six minutes from time Hector Canteros curled in a fourth to put the icing on the cake.

And the games come thick and fast next week

Second Stage First Leg

LDU Quito v Trujillanos
Nacional v Universidad de Chile
La Equidad v Libertad
Olimpia v Emelec
Santa Fe v Deportivo Cali

Second Stage Second Leg

Aurora v Nacional Asunción
Universitario v Anzoátegui - Live on Premier Sports TV - next Wednesday 2315
Deportes Iquique v Universidad Católica

Premier Sports TV is the home of South American football in the UK
You can subscribe at www.premiersports.tv or by calling 0871 663 9000

Copa Sudamericana week 5

Second Stage First Leg

Nacional Asunción 1-1 Aurora
Arsenal 2-0 Estudiantes
Lanús 2-2 Godoy Cruz
Argentinos Juniors 0-0 Vélez Sarsfield
Anzoátegui 1-2 Universitario

The weeks action got underway in Asunción as Nacional entertained Aurora of Bolivia. The visitors took a shock lead with just six minutes on the clock Aquilano Villalba headed the visitors ahead. The second half started badly for the visitors when Villalba got himself sent off and half way through the second half Aurora keeper Pablo Lanz fumbled a cross and Javier González was on hand to level the tie. In Avellaneda, Arsenal put themselves into a commanding position against fellow Argentinians Estudiantes. Arsenal took the lead five minutes after the break when Leandro Benítez diverted a free kick into his own net. Cristian Trombetta doubled the Arsenal lead fifteen minutes from time when he headed home a free kick.

The Premier Sports TV viewers got the game of the week as Lanús needed a late late goal against Godoy Cruz to snatch a draw. Lanús took the lead with nineteen minutes gone when Diego González headed home from a corner but Godoy Cruz levelled seven minutes later when German Voboril's stunning 35 yard strike flew into the back of the net. Eleven minutes before the break and Godoy Cruz were ahead and it was an even more stunning 35 yarder from Álvaro Navarro the put them ahead. Lanús levelled two minutes into injury time when Juan Neira slid in at the back post to level things up in the tie. No goals at the Estadio Diego Armando Maradona as an out of form Argentinos Juniors held current Clausura champions Vélez Sarsfield. Much like in Brazil it isn't a competition the Argentinian clubs take seriously and an under strength Vélez side could not break down their stubborn opponents to leave it all to play for in the return leg next week. In Puerto La Cruz, Anzoátegui's first appearance at this stage of the competition ended in disappointment when they went down 2-1 to Universitario of Peru. Alvaro Ampuero put Universitario ahead with half an hour gone and Johan Fano doubled the lead five minutes after the break. The Venezuelan side got themselves back in the game fifteen minutes from time when Armando Maita got them back into the game but it's an uphill task for Anzoátegui in Lima in a fortnights time.

Next week in the Copa Sudamericana

Second Stage First Leg:
Universidad Católica v Deportes Iquique

Second Stage Second Leg:
Estudiantes v Arsenal
Godoy Cruz v Lanús
Vélez Sarsfield v Argentinos Juniors

Premier Sports TV is the home of the South American football in the UK
You can subscribe at www.premiersports.tv or by calling 0871 663 9000

Recopa Sudamericana 2nd leg

Internacional 3-1 Independiente
3-3 on points, Internacional wins on goal difference

Last night at the Beira-Rio, Brazil's Internacional were crowned 2011 Recopa Sudamericana champions after defeating Independiente of Argentina 3-1 to lift their second title after their 2007 success.

In form Leandro Damião put Inter ahead with twenty minutes gone when he beat two defenders and fired a shot across the goal and into the far corner. Five minutes later Damião made it two when he took advantage of a mistake in the Independiente defence to volley over goalkeeper Hilario Navarro.

Independiente changed their tactics at half time and it had an almost immediate effect, four minutes after the break Maxi Velázquez, who had opened the scoring a fortnight ago in Buenos Aires, cut inside to take a pass and beat goalkeeper Muriel. The visitors then almost levelled but Muriel managed to keep out Marco Perez. With extra time looming Internacional settled the tie when Kléber converted from the spot six minutes from time after Navarro had brought down substitute Jô.

Recopa Sudamericana - First Leg

Independiente 2-1 Internacional

The Recopa Sudamericana pits the winners of the two intercontinental competitions from the previous year as Copa Sudamericana holders Independiente met last years Libertadores winners Internacional of Brazil in Avellaneda.

Inter took the lead and got an away goal eight minutes before the break when Leandro Damião slid in to put the ball over the advancing Hilario Navarro. Five minutes later Independiente were back in the game when defender Maxi Velázquez headed the home side level. The home side completed their comeback eighteen minutes from time when a Marcos Pérez free kick took a deflection and wrongfooted Muriel.

The second leg takes place at the Beira-Rio in two weeks time.

Copa América quarter-finals - the favourites fall

The favourites went tumbling out of the Copa America at the quater-final stage in a dramatic weekend that fully justified CONMEBOL's decision to adopt extra-time as three of the games went into the extra half hour. With some unexpected sides in the last four, the competition is open wider than the mouth of the Amazon. Let's have a look and see how it panned out.

Colombia 0-2 Peru

No Pizarro, no Farfán, no chance. Wasn't that the script for Peru? Nobody seems to have told them that, though they were indebted here to Radamel Falcao whose shanked penalty saw the sides go to 90 minutes goalless. Once there, a hopeful punt into the box was flapped at by Luis Enrique Martinez who came flying out of his net and wiped out a team-mate in the act of palming the ball to Carlos Lobaton. He didn't need a second invitation and lashed it past the prone goalkeeper and through a crowd scene to give Peru a surprise lead. A poor clearance from Martinez in the second period of extra time was swooped on by Paolo Guerrero. He and Juan Vargas were two-o two against what remained of the defence and Guerrero is too good in those situ. He beat one man and drew in the other before squaring to Vargas who smashed it in from the edge of the box.

Argentina 1-1 Uruguay (Uruguay win 5-4 on penalties)

Early goals in Santa Fe gave everybody hope that we were in for a thriller as two of the pre-tournament favourites went head-to-head. The Argentine defence allowed Diego Perez to sneak in unnoticed as a long-range free-kick was floated into the box. The knock-down found Perez at the back post and he nudged it over the line from about a foot. The defence continued to take chances, but Argentina also looked sharp on the counter and that's how they got back level. A piece of brilliance from Lionel Messi set up Gonzalo Higuain for a flick header. But despite all that attacking talent, neither side could find another goal for the remaining 77 minutes of normal time or the additional half hour and to penalties it went even though both sides had the ball in the net once.
Messi stroked his home to put Argentina ahead in the tie for the first time; Diego Forlan responded in kind. Nicolas Burdisso and Luis Suarez exchanged successful kicks before Carlos Tevez put his too near Fernando Muslera who saved. Andrés Scotti made Muslera's heroics count and heaped the pressure on the tournament hosts. Muslera very nearly saved Javier Pastore's effort, but it squirmed in under his body. Mauricio Victorino converted his leaving one more penalty to send Uruguay through even though Higuain blasted his in off the bar. Muslera couldn't watch as Martin Caceres lined it up, but you wouldn't know the pressure was on as he hit it perfectly, right into the top corner. No chance for Sergio Romero and Uruguay were through.

Brazil 0-0 Paraguay (Paraguay win 2-0 on penalties)

Let's be clear about one thing: penalties are not a lottery. There is an art to the science of converting spot kicks. Look at the Germans in Euro 96. When they beat England in the semi-finals, each penalty struck the inside of the side netting, beyond the reach of any keeper whether he guesses right or not. Brazil, it seems, have much to learn about it.
Before all that came a tense and at times fractious game, livened by a 22-man rumble which ended with Lucas Leiva and Antolín Alcaraz getting their marching orders. Brazil hammered on the Paraguayan goal throughout, but found Justo Villar in inspired form while at the other end, the Paraguayan front-line - not exactly blessed with blistering pace - made the Brazilian rearguard look slow and ponderous.
With extra time winding down and penalties inevitable, Mano Menezes sent on Elano, his number one penalty taker and it was he who stepped up for the first kick which he then proceeded to launch into a near-earth orbit. Paraguay's first was also missed, Edgar Barreto dragging it wide, and Brazil's second, from Thiago Silva, was saved by Villar before Marcelo Estigarribia finally put one away, blazed down the middle. Another miss for Brazil, André Santos taking the Elano method, was followed by a second for Paraguay from Cristian Riveros leaving Fred needing to score to keep Brazil in it. He shanked it well wide, nearer corner flag than goal, and Paraguay were through. An awful, awful penalty from Fred to cap a dreadful attempt at a shoot-out as the holders followed the hosts out of the competition.

Chile 1-2 Venezuela

Finally, a game settled in 90 minutes, but again the favourites bow out. Having seen Argentina and Brazil go out, Chile could have been forgiven for thinking they could kick on and win this thing, but Venezuela have been improving steadily under everybody's radar. Half an hour in, Oswaldo Vizcarrondo got across the defence to flick a header inside the near post from a set piece, but when the prolific Humberto Suazo spun on a dime and lashed in a shot into the roof of the net, it was still Chile that looked most likely. Ten minutes from time, though, and another set piece caused panic in the Chilean defence and worked it's way through to goalkeeper Claudio Bravo who spilled it at the feet of Gabriel Cíchero.

So the semi-finals have a refreshing, if unusual look to them.

It's Peru v Uruguay on Wednesday (1:45am BST) in La Plata and it's Paraguay v Venezuela 24 hours later in Mendoza. Place your bets and prepare to lose your shirt.

Copa América 2011 - Matchday 3 Round Up

Group A

Colombia 2-0 Bolivia
Argentina 3-0 Costa Rica

Colombia wrapped up top spot in Group A when they were first up against Bolivia in Santa Fé on Sunday. Radamel Falcao put Colombia ahead with fifteen minutes gone when he sprung the Bolivian offside trap to latch onto a Dayro Moreno pass and beat Carlos Arias at the far post. The prolific Porto striker got his and Colombia's second from the spot on the half hour after Santos Amador bought Pablo Armero down with referee Francisco Chacon had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. The following night in Cordoba, Argentina knew it was win at all costs to guarantee a spot in the last eight. After dominating the first half the Albiceleste took the lead in injury time at the end of the first half. Costa Rica goalkeeper Leonel Moreira spilled a shot and Sergio Agüero was first to react to settle the crowds nerve. Lionel Messi came to the party in the second half, his pass set up Agüero to get his second eight minutes after the break and eleven minutes later another superb Messi pass put Ángel di María in to slam home the third and secure second spot in the group.


Group C

Chile 1-0 Peru
Uruguay 1-0 Mexico

The set up of the competition meant that Group C was completed before Group B and Chile wrapped up top spot after an injury time goal gave them victory over Peru. The big flash point came just after the hour when Brazilian referee Salvio Spinola Fagundes Filho dismissed Jean Beausejour of Chile and Giancarlo Carmona after they clashed off the ball. The goal came when Peru goalkeeper Saloman Libman flapped at a corner and the ball hit the unfortunate Peru substitute Andre Carillo and the ball rolled over the line but Peru were still to make the last eight. Uruguay were another team who needed a victory to secure their place in the last 8 and they just about managed to see off the understrength Mexico side in La Plata. Uruguay took the lead with fifteen minutes gone when Mexico goalkeeper Luis Michel fumbled a shot and Álvaro Pereira was on hand to stab the ball home. Diego Forlán should have made it two before the break but hit the post when it was easier to his the back of the net. Mexico thought they had grabbed a second half equalizer through Rafal Marquez Lugo but they were denied by the linesman's offside call.

Group B

Paraguay 3-3 Venezuela
Brazil 4-2 Ecuador

The group of few goals, ended up being the group of many goal as both Matchday 3 games saw a total of 12 goals between them. First up in Salta were Paraguay and Venezuela where a great comeback from Venezuela capped a remarkable match. Venezuela took the lead with just five minutes on the clock when Saloman Rondón beat Justo villar from the edge of the area. Paraguay levelled with 33 mintues gone, pressure told and Antolin Alcáraz fired home after a right old schemozzle in the penalty area. Paraguay went ahead just after the hour and from another set piece Lucas Barrios was on hand to tap home. When Cristian Riveros headed home a Aureliano Torres free kick with four minutes to go you thought that was game set and match. Someone forget to tell Venezuela, in the last minute a Nicolas Fedor shot was deflected past Justo Villar and deep into injury time goalkeeper Renny Vega climbed highest at a corner and Grenddy Perozo was unmarked at the back post to level matters and send both teams through. Last up in Córdoba saw Brazil make hard work of winning Group B and getting into the last eight. Alexander Pato put Brazil ahead when he nodded home an Andre Santos cross just before the half hour. It took Ecuador only seven minutes to level, Cristian Benítez set up Felipe Caicedo and his short squirmed under Júlio César and into the net. Four minutes after the break Brazil were back in front in a move off the Santos training ground. Paulo Henrique Ganso with the pass and Neymar with the finish. Ecuador struck back again on the hour, Caicedo turning on the edge of the area to pick up his second of the game. The teams were level for less than a minutes, Ecuador goalkeeper Marcelo Elizaga spilled a Ganso shot and Alexander Pato was quickest to react and bundle the ball home. Eighteen minutes from time Brazil wrapped things up, Maicon got down the right hand wing and his cross found Neymar unmarked and he slotted home to pick up his second of the game.

The competition moves into the knockout stages from Saturday, with a new format from this tournament which sees extra time being played instead of ties going straight to penalties. They line up like this

Colombia v Peru - Saturday 2000, Córdoba
Argentina v Uruguay - Saturday 2315, Santa Fé
Brazil v Paraguay - Sunday 2000, La Plata
Chile v Venezuela - Sunday 2315, San Juan