Copa Sudamericana Final 1st Leg

LDU Quito 5-1 Fluminense

LDU have opened up a huge advantage in the Copa Sudamericana final after thrashing Fluminense 5-1 at the Estadio Casa Blanca in Quito.

Fluminense led with less than 60 seconds on the clock when Marquinho pounced to give the visitors a shock lead. Fluminense began to struggle in the altitude and were behind by half time thanks to two cracking goals from Edison Méndez, pictured right celebrating with LDU coach Jorge Fossati. Méndez completed his hat-trick with a header on the hour and then turned creator for Franklin Salas to add a fourth. 4-1 was probably enough for Fluminense to haul back in Rio next week but Ulises de la Cruz put one hand on the trophy for LDU with a 30 yarder with three minutes to go.

What the ramifications are for Fluminense no one can tell. It's their first defeat after a 13 match unbeaten run, including victories in the last 8 on the spin, and with Vitória due at the Maracanã in a must win game in their fight against relegation it may have had a devastating effect on the confidence of the side coming into what could be one of the biggest weeks in the history of Fluminense.

You can't fault the efforts of LDU, they were masterful tonight. Ripping Fluminense to shreds at times and fully deserving their four goal lead. After last years Libertadores final, you shouldn't write this game off. It finished 5-5 on aggregate last time and who is to say that with a full to bursting Maracanã behind them, Fluminense might pull off the impossible. They've been doing it in the league for the last 6 weeks but I think this may be a bridge too far for them and there may be tears at the end of it all.

Primera División de Argentina - week 15

Estudiantes 3-1 Tigre
Lanús 3-0 Colón
Huracán 0-2 San Lorenzo
Atlético Tucumán 2-1 Chacarita Juniors
Independiente 1-2 Banfield
Newell's Old Boys 2-2 Rosario Central
Boca Juniors 4-0 Gimnasia La Plata
Godoy Cruz 1-1 River Plate
Argentinos Juniors 1-1 Arsenal
Vélez Sársfield 4-2 Racing Club
Estudiantes 0-1 Colón

Banfield continued their winning run to open up a gap at the top of the Apertura table after coming from behind to halt Independiente's surge up the table. After a goalless first half, Dario Gandin put Los Diablos Rojos ahead, but Lucas Mareque's own goal three minutes later squared it back up again. Handed that lifeline, the league leaders weren't about to pass up the opportunity and it was that man Santiago Silva who won it for them. The gap opens up because Newell's were held in the Rosario derby, coming from two goals down to snatch a point against their big city rivals. Two goals in two minutes put Rosario Central in front, Gervasio Nunez and Diego Chitzoff striking in the eleventh and twelfth minutes. Joaquin Boghossian pulled one back three minutes later and Jorge Achucarro sent the sides in level. And that's how it remained in a tense second half.

Estudiantes are two games ahead of most sides now having played twice for the second successive week. They put Tigre away, as expected, even scoring the bottom club's goal for them as Mauro Boselli starred in a 3-1 win, but they were turned over by Colón, Federico Nieto's stoppage time goal denying them a point. Colón lost their other game of the weekend, surprisingly beaten by Lanús. El Granate got all three goals around the half-time break, Cristian Menéndez just before and Sebastien Blanco and Santiago Salcedo's penalty just after. Colón remain third.

Huracán remain in bother after yet another defeat, short-handed to San Lorenzo. Paulo Goltz saw red early in the second half by which time Huracán had already gone behind to Renato Civelli. Juan Manuel Torres made it safe late in the second half. Chacarita and Racing are also still way down after both lost. Racing were in front against Vélez thanks to Gaston Diaz's own goal, but four unanswered goals left them with a mountain to climb. They did pull one back, way too late to make a difference. Chacarita went behind in first half stoppage time to Sebastien Longo, but went in level thanks to the wonderfully named Emmanuel Centurión. Fabio Escobar won it quarter of an hour from time for Atlético Tucumán.

River Plate were ahead in the third minute at Godoy Cruz, but were pegged back by Ariel Rojas shortly after the break and that's how it remained. Arsenal also drew 1-1 despite being a man and a goal down. Gabriel Hauche put Argentinos Juniors in front and when Franco Jara was sent off, that looked it for Arsenal, but Facundo Silva got the equaliser seven minutes from time. Finally, Boca won big, 4-0 at home to Gimnasia with Federico Insua getting two of them.

Back to a regular ten fixtures this week:

Rosario Central v Atlético Tucumán
Independiente v Huracán
Chacarita Juniors v Godoy Cruz
River Plate v Estudiantes
San Lorenzo v Boca Juniors
Tigre v Vélez Sársfield
Banfield v Racing Club
Arsenal v Lanús
Colón v Newell's Old Boys
Gimnasia La Plata v Argentinos Juniors

Banfield are favourites to remain top with a home game against a Racing side for whom the word hapless seems apt. Colón v Newell's looks a cracker, as do the games at River Plate and San Lorenzo. We'll have a round-up early next week.

Copa Sudamericana Final preview

Fluminense and LDU Quito meet again at Estadio Casa Blanca in the first leg of the Copa Nissan Sudamericana final tonight in the Ecuadorean capital at an altitude of 2850 metres.

Flu are hoping for better luck than the last time they faced LDU in a continental final. That was last year in the final of the Copa Libertadores, which LDU won 3-1 in a dramatic penalty shootout at the Maracanã after finishing level at 5-5 over two legs and a further half an hour of extra time.

"They will have a bad memory of what happened in Maracanã," said Jorge Fossati, pictured, the Uruguayan coach of LDU.

The Sudamericana is the continent's equivalent of the Europa League but neither team have yet to taste success in this competition. LDU's Libertadores success has already been mentioned but Fluminense have never won an international title.

"Playing an international cup final in the continent that exports the most soccer talent to the world is a great honour," said LDU vice-president Patricio Torres.

LDU reached the final by hammering River Plate Montevideo 7-0 and rested several players for their league game at weekend, which they lost 1-0 to Manta FC. Fluminense got to the final by beating Cerro Porteño 3-1 on aggregate after a dramatic late finish in the Maracanã. Fluminense were in Recife at the weekend and defeated already relegated Sport 3-0 in the Campeonato and are likely to field the same lineup.

LDU have a slight doubt over the fitness of Jairo Campos, but Renán Calle is on standby to take his place if he fails a fitness test.

Fluminense coach Cuca reckons his team can deliver success, "We can't play defensively, because that is what LDU want us to do. We will not change out style of play just because it's a final."

Fluminense will depend on striker Fred for the goals but will be without injured defender Digao, who has a fractured left foot, and forward Maicon, who has a thigh problem.

The Brazilian players have tried to play down playing at altitude in Quito. Fred, left, said, "I'm not worried because I talked to the coach and he said playing at altitude is a psychological thing, so I'll try to keep it out of my mind."

Possible line ups

LDU Quito: Alexander Domínguez; Norberto Araujo, Carlos Espínola, Jairo Campos or Renán Calle; Néicer Reasco, Diego Calderón, Ulises De La Cruz, Miller Bolaños, Édison Méndez; Walter Calderón, Claudio Bieler.

Fluminense: Rafael; Gum, Dalton, Cassio; Mariano, Diogo or Marquinho, Diguinho, Darío Conca, Marquinho; Alan, Fred.

Referee: Roberto Silvera (Uruguay)

The game is being streamed live on certain bookmakers sites (subject to national restrictions) and kicks off at 23.50 GMT

Just to point out, the rules are different for the final. Away goals don't count. If it's level at the end of 180 minutes, we'll have a further 30 minutes of extra time before the game goes to a penalty shoot out.

Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Week 36

Grêmio 2-0 Palmeiras
Atlético Paranaense 1-1 Cruzeiro
Corinthians 2-3 Náutico
Santo André 4-2 Avaí
Santos 4-0 Coritiba
Sport Recife 0-3 Fluminense
Botafogo 3-2 São Paulo
Vitória 2-1 Barueri
Flamengo 0-0 Goiás
Atlético Miniero 0-1 Internacional

Oh my god! What a round in the Brasileiro. The top 6 collected a total of five points between them, the bottom six meanwhile picked up 14 points between them in another crazy week in the Brasileiro.

The round began in Porto Alegre on Wednesday night when any hope Palmeiras had of picking up the title were finally dented at Fortress Grêmio. Rafael Marques put the home side ahead right on half time and that led to the Palmeiras pair of Mauricio and Obina doing a Bowyer/Dyer as the players trudged off for half time. They were both subsequently dismissed by the referee and later told they'd never pull the Green shirt on again for Palmeiras. Down to nine men, it was too much of a task and Maxi López ensured that Grêmio remain unbeaten at home with a second 20 minutes from time.

Only two games on Saturday, where Atlético-PR had thought they had secured a valuable win in their fight against Libertadores chasing Cruzeiro. Marcinho had put Atlético ahead with only 17 minutes left but Leonardo Silva broke Atlético-PR hearts and kept Cruzeiro in the hunt for a Libertadores spot with an equaliser as the game went into injury time. Gilberto was then sent off for the visitors for a second yellow card but the points were shared. In the other game Náutico kept their heads above the relegation parapet with a shock come from behind win at Corinthians. Náutico went into half time ahead thanks to Bruno Miniero's goal 5 minutes before the break. Ronaldo then levelled before Elias put the home side ahead to leave Náutico joining Recife neighbours Sport in Série B. In between the goals Bruno Miniero had been sent off, but Náutico showed great spirit and Carlinhos Bala levelled with 6 minutes to go before Ailton kept his nerve to convert an injury time penalty.

And onto Sunday......

In the early kick offs Avaí's slim hopes of the last Libertadores spot were crushed by Santo André, who like Náutico the night before kept their heads off the relegation chopping block with this victory. Marcelinho Carioca put Santo André ahead form the spot in the first half before Wanderley doubled the advantage 9 minutes into the second half. Muriqui then pulled one back for Avaí before Camilo restored the two goal advantage. Marquinhos then reduced the defecit again before Camilo secured the points for Santo André with a second in injury time. Coritiba are now looking nervously over their shoulders after they were humped 4-0 by Santos at the Vila Belmiro. Two goals in the space of 4 minutes from Madson and Kléber Pereira mean Santos went into the break two goals to the good before the latest prodigy off the Santos production line, 17 year old Neymar added a brace in the second half. Fluminense made it 8 in a row (in all competitions) after finally disposing of already relegated Sport in Recife, who are now confirmed for the CONMEBalls Série A wooden spoon. Moacir and Ciro were sent off for Sport and to further hamper them it was an own goal from Zé Antonio which put Fluminense ahead. Fred then doubled the lead before Dario Conca put the icing on the cake to send Fluminense off to Quito in confident mood.

In the final Sunday afternoon game at the Engenhão, there was only one word to describe it. Carnage. 5 goals, a hat trick and 4 red cards as Botofogo kept themselves alive in the relegation race and São Paulo threw a lifeline to Flamengo in the race for the title. Jobson put the home side ahead with 14 minutes on the clock but that was cancelled out right on half time by Washington. Ten minutes into the second half Jorge Wágner put the Champions ahead but Jobson's second levelled matters 4 minutes later. Then two red cards, the first to Richarlyson from São Paulo with 20 minutes to go before he was followed by Botafogo's Juninho with 6 minutes to go. As the game entered injury time Jobson completed his hat-trick to win the game for Fogo before becoming the third player to be sent off after picking up a second yellow for taking his shirt off in celebration and he was joined deep in injury time by Rodrigo Dantas. Botafogo finishing with 8 men but picking up three valuable points.

When the late games started on Sunday, across town from the Engenhão, Flamengo were in pole position to go top of the table when they entertained Goiás at the Maracanã. 78,000 people turned up for the game but were left disappointed and frustrated by a dull goalless draw which left Flamengo still a point behind São Paulo and left Goiás without a chance of a Libertadores spot and in the Sudamericana. Vitória qualified for next season's Sudamericana after overcoming 10 man Barueri. Leandro Domingues put Vitória ahead just after half time before Roger doubled the lead 10 minutes later. Otacilio Neto saw red for Barueri who got a consolation through Val Baiano's 16th goal of the season in injury time. Internacional still have a chance of title glory after a backs to the wall win at an Atlético-MG side who saw their title hopes ended by this defeat. Both teams went into the game on 56 points and to be fair a draw was no good for either side. It was settled by a single goal 15 minutes into the game, Inter midfielder Giuliano with the crucial strike to lift Inter into third, three points off the pace.

The heat is on now, 11 red cards over the weekend shows the pressure is getting to the players a little. But just look at the relegation battle now. Fluminense on 42 with Botafogo, Coritiba and Atlético-PR all with touching distance just two points ahead. How much will Flamengo regret not picking up more than a point against Goiás? How much will the surprise defeat at Barueri in week 32 come back to haunt them? Inter suddenly have a chance of the title but São Paulo must be breathing a sigh of relief after Flamengo failed to take advantage.

All the games are scheduled to kick off at the same time on Sunday at 7pm UK time. Atlético-PR and Botafogo meet in the big game at the bottom of the table whilst Palmeiras and Atlético-MG, which had title decider written all over it three weeks ago is now a battle for the last qualification spot for the Libertadores. One of Santo André and Náutico will defenitely be relegated this weekend as they clash, a draw though would send both teams down.

Here is how they line up for Week 37, the penultimate round.

Palmeiras x Atlético Mineiro
Grêmio x Barueri
Atlético Paranaense x Botafogo
Cruzeiro x Coritiba
Corinthians x Flamengo
Sport Recife x Internacional
Santo André x Náutico
Avaí x Santos
Goiás x São Paulo
Fluminense x Vitória

It's awesome this finish to the season in Brazil and we're back next Monday with a round up of all the action.

Copa Sudamericana Semi Final 2nd Legs

Fluminense 2-1 Cerro Porteño
Fluminense advances 6-0 on points
LDU Quito 7-0 River Plate Montevideo
LDU advances on goal difference

Fluminense reached the Copa Sudamericana final by scoring twice in second half injury time to overcome Cerro Porteño 2-1 and 3-1 on aggregate at Maracanã on Wednesday.

The Fluzão were certainly up for it but Cerro Porteño, trailing after the first leg, levelled the tie with only six minutes on the clock when midfielder Luis Caceres converted a cross from striker Cesar Ramirez which deflected in off a Fluminense defender. Diego Barreto was again having a marvellous game in the Cerro goal, denying chance after chance as Fluminense looked to retake the initiative. With the tie heading for penalties there was a dramatic conclusion. Two minutes into second half injury-time defender Gum struck home to put Fluminense level on the night and ahead in the tie and as Cerro Porteño chased an equaliser in what little injury time was left goalkeeper Barreto was caught upfield in attack and Alan made it 2-1 rolling the ball into an empty net to send the Fluzão wild and give Fluminense a 7th straight win in all competitions.

Then after the final whistle a massive fight broke out between all the players on both teams, with the Fluminense and Cerro Porteño coaching staff also trading blows before Brazilian military police stormed the field to break it up and force the Cerro players down the tunnel and back into the sheds before the Fluminense players could finally celebrate with their supporters.

Liga de Quito stormed into the Copa Sudamericana finals with a thumping 7-0 win over River Plate Montevideo, easily overturning a 2-1 defeat in the first leg.

Claudio Bieler opened the scoring from the spot after 18 minutes after Neicer Reasco was brought down in the box. Then Carlos Espinola headed home Edison Méndez's corner in the 28th, and River ability to defend disappeared at the end of the first half when Bieler's cross was headed back across the goal by Walter Calderon for an unmarked Miller Bolanos to smash the ball home. The tie was all over there and then and Méndez scored LDU's fourth 12 minutes after the break before former Birmingham City player Ulises De La Cruz made it 5-0 in the 78th minute it was party time. Bieler put the candles on the cake when he completed a hat-trick with strikes with 84 and 89 minutes on the clock.

So the final will be a repeat of last years Copa Libertadores final which LDU Quito won dramatically on a penalty shoot out in the Maracanã to stun the Fluzão. The first leg is again scheduled for Quito next week with the return in the Maracanã the week after.

Primera División de Argentina - week 14

Rosario Central 3-0 Estudiantes

Chacarita Juniors 0-1 Newell's Old Boys
Tigre 2-0 Godoy Cruz
Banfield 3-0 Vélez Sársfield
Colón 2-0 Argentinos Juniors
San Lorenzo 0-3 Independiente
River Plate 3-1 Atlético Tucumán
Arsenal 1-1 Boca Juniors
Racing 1-0 Estudiantes
Gimnasia La Plata 4-1 Huracán
Rosario Central 0-0 Lanús

Two defeats across the weekend have seen Estudiantes fall off the pace in the Apertura. They had a game midweek last week in Rosario and collapsed to a 3-0 defeat, falling behind in the sixth minute when Juan Veron put past his own keeper. Gonzalo Castillejos added a second on the stroke of half-time and a second own-goal wrapped it up, Agustin Alayes the culprit this time. They went down again on Monday away at lowly Racing Club, Pablo Luguercio with the only goal of the game. That leaves Estudiantes six adrift of the leaders, but having played a game more.

Banfield and Newell's continue to lead the way. Newell's needed an Omar Zarif own goal to get past Chacarita Juniors while Banfield put three past Vélez Sársfield to strengthen their position at the top. Goalless at half-time, Banfield were two up within three minutes of the restart through James Rodriguez and Cristian Garcia. Garcia's second, ten minutes after his first, sealed the points. Two Esteban Fuertes penalties helped Colón to victory Argentinos Juniors and they now lead the chase, four points behind the leading duo.

With Racing winning, Tigre were in danger of being cut adrift at the bottom, but upset Godoy Cruz with a 2-0 win. Martin Morel put Tigre in front early on and they were clinging on until Jorge Curbelo's second yellow reduced Godoy to ten. Carlos Fondacaro sealed the points deep in stoppage time. Huracán remain in trouble after going down hard to Gimnasia. Diego Rodriguez equalised Gimnasia's opener, scored by Jose Vizcarra, on the half hour, but it lasted just two minutes before Sebastien Romero put the La Plata side back in front. Marcos Perez and Denis Stracqualursi added second-half goals to wrap up an emphatic win. A rare win for River Plate, just their third of the season, eased the pressure a little and took them above their opponents Atlético Tucumán. Atléti were ahead in the first minute through Emmanuel Gigliotti, but three goals in six second-half minutes turned it around. Marcelo Gallardo's strike on 70 minutes opened the floodgates and Diego Buonanotte and Daniel Villalba had both struck before Tucumán knew what had hit them.

Rosario's second game of the week ended goalless against Lanús and Boca Juniors also finished level, Cristian Álvarez grabbing a point for Arsenal after Gary Medel had put Boca in front. San Lorenzo and Independiente are going in opposite directions and the latter go above the former following a thumping win. Dario Gandin sent Independiente into half-time ahead and two goals in as many minutes sealed it, Martin Gomez and Leonel Nunez with them. The Saints' collapse was complete when Alejandro Gomez was sent off ten minutes from time.

Next week, top game is the Rosario derby with Newell's the hosts. River Plate's resurgence gets tested at Godoy Cruz while Estudiantes can get back on the horse at home to lowly Tigre. Indeed, Estudiantes play twice this week as well with a Wednesday clash with Colón as they clear their schedules ahead of the Copa Libertadores. Independiente are on the up and host Banfield in what looks a tasty clash.

Estudiantes v Tigre
Lanús v Colón
Huracán v San Lorenzo
Atlético Tucumán v Chacarita Juniors
Independiente v Banfield
Newell's Old Boys v Rosario Central
Boca Juniors v Gimnasia La Plata
Godoy Cruz v River Plate
Argentinos Juniors v Arsenal
Vélez Sársfield v Racing
Estudiantes v Colón

Final World Cup place up for grabs

After Saturday's game in San Jose, Uruguay take a one-goal lead over Costa Rica back to Montevideo for tonight's second leg of the CONMEBOL/CONCACAF play-off. Diego Lugano got the only goal of the opening leg, but Costa Rican midfielder Luis Antonio Marin is in bullish mood. "They profited from one chance from a corner. This is not over. We can go to Uruguay and win there" he said in the pre-match press conference.

It'll be tough, whatever Marin says. Randall Azofeifa was sent off for a second yellow in San Jose, so is banned for the return, while Uruguay boast the likes of Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez among their number, but the performance - if not the result - will certainly fill The Ticos with confidence. They generally held sway on the attacking front and only conceded from a corner while defender Gilberto Martinez was off the field receiving treatment. Even after the sending off, they more than held their own and could/should have got something out of the game, the in-form Bryan Ruiz with a couple of chances.

It's nicely poised, but at home and with a goal advantage, surely this is Uruguay's to lose.

Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Week 35

Palmeiras 2-2 Sport Recife
Coritiba 2-1 Atlético Miniero
Cruzeiro 1-1 Grêmio
São Paulo 2-0 Vitória
Barueri 3-0 Botafogo
Avaí 3-1 Corinthians
Náutico 0-2 Flamengo
Fluminense 2-1 Atlético Paranaense
Internacional 3-1 Santos

Sport Recife's fight against the drop was ended by Palmeiras last Wednesday night but it was also a result that put a huge dent in the title ambitions of Palmeiras. Just like last week Sport were two up inside 16 minutes, Juan Acre with the opener before Wilson doubled the lead to stun the Palestra Itália. With their title ambitions on the line, Palmeiras had to fight back, they were helped when Durval was sent off for Sport with 67 mintues gone but Deyvid Sacconi pulled one back 5 minutes after before Diego Souza rescued a point three minutes from time. It was enough to put Palmeiras top at the time but that ended on Saturday when São Paulo went back top when they beat Vitória in the Morumbi. Jorge Wágner opened the scoring with 25 minutes on the clock before a second three minutes after the break from Hugo secured the points. Flamengo are now second after their 2-0 win in Recife against Náutico more or less opened the relegation trapdoor for them. Dejan Petkovic put Flamengo ahead with 17 minutes on the clock and it was all over by half time thanks to Adriano's 19th of the season.

Internacional moved up to fourth after a comfortable win over Santos. They were two up by half time thanks to Danilo Silva and Marquinhos strikes within three minutes of each other. Neymar got Santos back into the game just after the hour but Andrés D'Alessandro sixth goal of the season sealed things for Inter. Cruzeiro were held to a draw by a Grêmio side that finished the game with 9 men and equalised whilst down to that number. Gilberto put Cruzeiro ahead before Tulio and Fabio Santos were dismissed before German Herrera for Grêmio to give them only their fifth point on the road this season. Atlético-MG were the big losers of the weekend, going down to Coritiba 2-1. Rômulo put Coritiba ahead but a 12th of the season for Éder Luís levelled things after some comedy defending. When it looked like a point would be better than nothing for Atlético-MG, with three minutes later and poor challenge from Pedro Benitez saw him sent off and Marcelinho converted from the spot to ease Coritiba's relegation worries and dent Atlético-MG's title hopes.

The Fluminense revival continued a pace after they picked up their fourth straight win in front of a huge crowd at the Maracanã against Atlético-PR. You can't keep a good man down as Fred scored for the fourth straight game to put Fluminense ahead with 18 minutes on the clock before Maicon doubled the lead on the hour. Atlético-PR then realised they needed to get back into this game and served up a nervy last 10 minutes when Marcelo pulled a goal back. Botafogo are now within touching distance for Fluminense after going down to Barueri. Val Baiano, returning from an injury lay off, caused the damage. He put Barueri ahead after 28 minutes before doubleing the advantage 7 minutes into the second half. He completed his hat-trick in injury time. Goiás snapped a three game losing run by pushing Santo André closer to Série B with a come from behind win. Marcelinho Carioca put Santo André ahead, a lead they held until half time, before a brace from Fernandão put Goiás ahead. Renato Dias was then sent off for Santo André before Iarley's 12th of the season wrapped thing up. Finally Avaí are suddenly within three points of a Libertadores spot after overcoming a Corinthians side who clearly have put the cue on the rack for the season. William put Avaí ahead before an own goal from Marquinhos levelled things. William's second had Avaí ahead by half time and Corinthians were reduced to 10 men right on half time when Edgar Balbuena was sent off. Leo Gago then secured the points when he struck 20 minutes from time.

Three games to go, you have to think now that it's a two horse race between São Paulo and Flamengo. The Palmeiras ship has sailed I think. At the bottom can Fluminense pull off the greatest of escapes and will Náutico and Santo André fall through the trap door this weekend. Here's how they line up for Round 36 which starts on Wednesday night in Porto Alegre. The game of the weekend is Atlético-MG v Internacional.

Grêmio x Palmeiras
Santo André x Avaí
Santos x Coritiba
Sport Recife x Fluminense
Botafogo x São Paulo
Vitória x Barueri
Atlético Paranaense x Cruzeiro
Flamengo x Goiás
Atlético Miniero x Internacional
Corinthians x Náutico

Copa Libertadores 2010

We at CONMEBalls are led to believe that the draw for the 2010 Copa Santander Libertadores will take place at CONMEBOL HQ on November 27th.

As soon as we hear anything, you will.

Copa Sudamericana Semi Final 1st Legs

Cerro Porteño 0-1 Fluminense
River Plate Montevideo 2-1 LDU Quito

For the third consecutive game Fluminense had Fred to thank after his strike gave them a 1-0 win in Asunción on Wednesday night. Fluminense dominated the early exchanges but Cerro Porteño goalkeeper Diego Barreto produced a string of fine saves to keep the home side in the tie. The breakthrough finally came in the 76th minute, when Fred controlled a long kick from keeper Rafael before entering the box and striking the ball past Barreto. Take the time to watch the clip, the commentary is superb. I think the commentator might have had a few Reais on the first goalscorer. The second leg takes place in the Maracanã next Wednesday night.


River Plate Montevideo will take a slight advantage to the altitude of Quito next week in the second leg after beating LDU Quito 2-1 at the Centenario on Thursday night. LDU began the game well, but fell behind with 8 minutes on the clock as River hit them on the break and Richard Porta slotted home. River then took control of the game , but against the run of play LDU levelled on the half-hour, when Edison Méndez finished from Neicer Reasco's cross. River regained their composure and looked much the better side in the second half and scored the winner on the hour through Jorge Córdoba. River then went close to adding a third in the closing moments, whether they come to rue their failure remains to be seen when the teams clash again in Quito next Thursday night.