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
You can subscribe at www.premiersports.tv or by calling 0871 663 9000

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.

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

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 8

Aurora 5-2 Nacional Asunción
Aurora advances 4-1 on points

Nacional 0-2 Universidad de Chile (Match abandoned after 46 minutes and awarded to U de Chile)
Universidad de Chile advance 6-0 on points

Trujillanos 0-1 LDU Quito
LDU Quito advances 6-0 on points

Libertad 1-0 La Equidad
Libertad advances 6-0 on points

Emelec 1-2 Olimpia (Match abandoned after 81 minutes, result stands)
Olimpia advances 6-0 on points

Deportivo Cali 1-1 Santa Fe
2-2 on points, Santa Fe advances 6-5 on penalties

What a week. What a mess. Two games abandoned due to off-field shenanigans casts something of a pall over proceedings. First, the game between Emelec and Olimpia was abandoned with nine minutes remaining after a shower of missiles rained down on visiting goalkeeper Martin Silva. Prior to that, Richard Ortiz had put Olimpia in front, getting on the end of a lovely, flowing move that ripped the middle our of Emelec. Half way through the first half, Pablo Zabellos was found with a great through-ball and slammed it high into the roof of the net for 2-0. Emelec came back into it after the break and, after spurning a few good chances, Jose Franco slipped one between Silva's legs to reduce the deficit. Raul Caceres picked up a second yellow late on to leave Olimpia a man short before the shower of bottles - an apparent protest against coach Juan Ramon Carrasco - forced the referee's hand. The result stands as is and Olimpia progress.
A day later, the game between Nacional and Universidad de Chile didn't even make it to half-time. Universidad were already 2-0 up by that point as Eduardo Vargas and Matias Rodriguez opened up a porous defence when a till roll struck one of the assistant referees on the head. Again, the result stands and Universidad go through.
Elsewhere, Bolivians Aurora thrashed Nacional Asunción despite going behind to Rodrigo Teixeira early on. Jair Reinoso equalised and a penalty from Diomedes Peña put Aurora in front. Teixeira's second levelled it up, but Aurora kicked on and were back in front before the break through Fernando Sanjurjo and late goals from Augusto Andaveris and Jaime Cardozo wrapped up a big win.
Single-goal wins were enough for LDU Quito - Luis Bolaños for the Ecudorians against ten-man Trujillanos - and Libertad - Ignacio Canuto with the only goal - against La Equidad as they both backed up first-leg wins in some comfort.
Drama in the all-Colombian tie between Deportivo Cali and Santa Fe as they battled to a second successive 1-1 draw. Juan Roa's own goal put Deportivo in the lead, but Sergio Galvan Rey levelled it up twenty minutes from time. Hurnan Burbano was the only player to miss in the resultant shoot-out and Santa Fe go through.

Round of 16 Draw and holders Independiente make their bow in the competition

Vélez Sarsfield v Universidad Católica
Universidad de Chile v Flamengo
Vasco da Gama v Aurora
Libertad v São Paulo
Independiente v LDU Quito
Universitario v Godoy Cruz
Arsenal v Olimpia
Santa Fe v Botafogo

Next week's games (subject to change)

Universidad Católica v Vélez Sarsfield
Godoy Cruz v Universitario
Flamengo v Universidad de Chile
Aurora v Vasco da Gama
Olimpia v Arsenal

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Copa Sudamericana week 7

Second Stage First Leg

LDU Quito 4-1 Trujillanos
Universidad de Chile 1-0 Nacional
La Equidad 0-1 Libertad
Olimpia 2-1 Emelec
Santa Fe 1-1 Deportivo Cali

2009 winner LQU Quito tentatively put a foot into the Round of 16 after a comfortable victory over Trujillanos of Venezuela at the Casa Blanca. The visitors, in their first appearance at this stage, made the perfect start when Juan Fálcon put them ahead in the opening minute to give them an away goal as well. LDU Quito are old hands on the continental stage and were ahead by half time, Hernan Barcos levelled with 26 minutes and his second of the game a minute before the break put LDU in control. It looked like Trujillanos would go back only a goal behind but they conceded to Ezequiel González two minutes from time and when Barcos completed his hat-trick from the spot in injury time the second leg is a mountain to climb. Universidad de Chile will take a narrow advantage back to Montevideo after a single goal victory over Nacional. An Eduardo Vargas goal on the hour was enough for La U but they will be without Nelson Rebolledo for the second leg after he was dismissed a minute from time.

Libertad of Paraguay took the long trip north to Colombia to face La Equidad and managed to come away with a vital away victory. One goal twelve minutes from time from Robin Ramírez enough for Libertad who will now be favourites for the second leg in Asunción next week. Another Paraguayan side, Olimpia will also be on the front foot going into their second leg against Emelec of Ecuador. Vladimir Marín put Olimpia ahead with a quarter of an hour gone but Emelec got an away goal give minutes before the break when Nicolas Vigneri struck. Olimpia restored their lead eighteen minutes from time when Marín got his second of the game. The all Colombian clash in Bogotá finished honours even between Santa Fe and Deportivo Cali. The home side took the lead from the spot just short of the hour,  Deportivo Cali had German Mera sent off for the challenge to concede the spot kick and Artentinian Omar Pérez slotted home the spot kick. The visitors got what could prove to be a vital goal two minutes from time, Breiner Belalcázar levelling matters before the second leg next week

Second Stage Second Leg

Universitario 2-0 Anzoátegui
Universitario advances 6-0 on points
Deportes Iquique 0-0 Universidad Católica
Universidad Católica advances 4-1 on points

Universitario of Peru made it into the Round of 16 as got a couple of late goals to confirm their passage at the expense of Anzoátegui of venezuela. Leading from the first game, the home side suffered a blow just before the hour when Martin Morel was sent off but they took the lead fifteen minutes from time through Manuel Ruidíaz. The ten men wrapped up victory seven minutes later courtesy of Pablo Vitti to send them through to a clash with Godoy Cruz. The Premier Sports TV cameras were in the Estadio Tierra de Campeones in Iquique as Universidad Católica progressed to the Round of 16 at the expense of Deportes Iquique. The game, which finished score less and without much incident, was not the greatest advert for Chilean football with Will Downing, who commentated for Premier Sports, saying "That's two hours of my life I'll never get back."

Next week sees the second stage come to a conclusion as the final six ties are completed

Second Stage Second Leg

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

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

Copa Sudamericana week 4

First Stage Second Leg

Santa Fe 2-0 Universidad César Vallejo
Santa Fe advances 4-1 on points
Juan Aurich 1-2 La Equidad
La Equidad advances 6-0 on points

Santa Fe made it into the second stage when they overcame Universidad César Vallejo of Peru in Bogotá. After a goal less first half Santa Fe took the lead ten minutes into the second half courtesy of Sergio Galván Rey and they wrapped up their passage seventeen minutes from time when midfielder Óscar Rodas made it two. The result sets up an all Colombian clash with Deportivo Cali in the second stage. In Chiclayo, another Colombian side La Equidad made it into the second stage after coming from behind on the plastic pitch against Juan Aurich. The home side, trailing by two goals from the first leg, took the lead through Mauricio Montes with sixteen minutes gone. Although still ahead on aggregate La Equidad got a crucial away goal fifteen minutes from time through substitute Victor Guazá and after a Luis Guadalupe foul in injury time Juan Núñez stepped up to convert from the spot. La Equidad will now take on Libertad of Paraguay in the second stage.

Second Stage Second Leg

São Paulo 3-0 Ceará
3-3 on points, São Paulo advances on goal difference
Botafogo 1-0 Atlético Mineiro
Botafogo advances 6-0 on points
Atlético Paranaense 0-1 Flamengo
Flamengo advances 6-0 on points
Palmeiras 3-1 Vasco da Gama
3-3 on points, Vasco da Gama advances on the away goals rule

With the Premier Sports TV cameras at the Morumbi São Paulo made it into the Round of 16 after avenging their first leg defeat at Ceará. Three goals in the space of nine second half minutes were enough for São Paulo. Eleven minutes after they break they took the lead through Cícero and doubled the advantage through Lucas Silva six minutes later. Dagoberto wrapped things up for São Paulo with the third twenty minutes into the second half. At the Engenhão, Botafogo ensured their place in the last sixteen after wrapping up victory over Atlético-MG. Ahead 2-1 from the first leg in Sete Lagoas a fortnight ago Botafogo got the only goal of the game in first half injury time when German Herrera converted from the spot after a foul by Leonardo Silva.

After a single goal victory in the first leg at the Engenhão a fortnight ago it was again an understrength Flamengo side that travelled to the Arena de Baixada to take on Atlético-PR. The Arena de Baixada hasn't been the happiest of hunting grounds for Flamengo in recent times and it needed the introduction of Ronaldhino Gáucho from the bench to get the winner sixteen minutes from time. At the Pacaembu, Palmeiras premiered their new kit to the world as they looked to overturn a two goal deficit against Vasco da Gama. The home side got off to the best of starts when Luan put them ahead with thirteen minutes gone. Nine minutes after the break it was level on aggregate as Kléber doubled the Palmieras lead on the night. The visitors got their crucial away goal four minutes later when Jumar stunned the expectant home crowd sensing a Palmeiras comeback. A Marcos Assunção free kick made levelled the aggregate score deep in injury time but Jumar's strike was enough send Vasco into the last sixteen.

Next week the four of the Argentinian sides enter the competition as they line up like this

Second Stage First Leg

Arsenal v Estudiantes
Nacional Asunción v Aurora
Lanús v Godoy Cruz - Live on Premier Sports TV
Anzoátegui v Universitario

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