The last champion Palmeiras overcame the first obstacle to be crowned again in South America, although at the next stop on the journey, an unfriendly rival awaits him.
Verdao beat Universidad Católica 1-0 for the rematch of the round of 16 on Wednesday at the Allianz Parque stadium in Sao Paulo and closed the overall score of the series 2-0 in their favor.
The current monarch will be measured in the quarterfinals against Sao Paulo, a classic rival of the city that yesterday eliminated the Argentine Racing Club.
Católica failed in an exit and paid dearly. Zé Rafael seized the ball and played for Wesley, who from the left threw the center into the area. Raphael Veiga defined first, but the stick saved the visitors. Like a ghost, Marcos Rocha appeared on the opposite side and defined crossed in the 37th minute.
RIVER, THE ONLY ARGENTINE IN ROOMS
Braian Romero, from River Plate, celebrates after scoring the second goal against Argentinos Juniors in the second leg of the round of 16 of the Copa Libertadores, on Wednesday, July 21, 2021 (Marcelo Endelli / Pool via AP)
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With a braian Romero double, River Plate beat Argentinos Juniors 2-0 and is the only Argentine team that is still standing in the continental tournament after the elimination of its rival as well as Vélez Sarsfield, Racing Club, Boca Juniors and Defensa and Justice.
The brand new signing of this season won a melee with a rival defender and in front of the goal he nailed his right hand in the 35th minute at the Diego Maradona stadium.
In a counterattack, Matías Suárez saw only Romero in the small area and gave him the ball for his second celebration of the night. The millionaires passed with an aggregate score of 3-1.
River, four times champion of the Libertadores, will play the quarterfinals against Atlético Mineiro.
Flamengo beat Defensa y Justicia 4-1 in the first game of the South American club competition that had fans since the pandemic began.
Mengao, who had won the first leg by the minimum, took the lead in the 9th minute on a corner kick that Rodrigo Caio capitalized with a header at the Mané Garrincha stadium in Brasilia, which was able to attend some 18,000 spectators with a vaccination certificate or negative PCR.
In full control of Flamengo, the Argentine team found equality after a bad start by goalkeeper Diego Alves who took advantage of Raúl Loaiza in the 41st minute. But another header, this time from Uruguayan Giorgian de Arrascaeta at 66 minutes, unbalanced in favor of the Brazilians. Two goals from Vitinho closed the win.
Flamengo, two times champion of the tournament, will play the quarterfinals against the survivor of the series between Internacional of Brazil and Olimpia of Paraguay.
Vélez joined the group of Argentines eliminated by falling 3-1 on the road to Barcelona of Ecuador. El Fortín had won 1-0 on their court a week ago.
Barcelona provisionally tied the series at 24 minutes. Gabriel Cortez put a surgical pass for Carlos Garcés, who was in the area and touched the middle so that Adonis Preciado scored with the tip of the right boot at the Monumental stadium in Guayaquil.
The advantage augured a favorable procedure for the premises, especially due to the difficulties of Vélez to cover the spaces. But the visit woke up and scored the 1-1 just started the complement. From the left, Lucas Janson sent a cross for Juan Martín Lucero’s goal-scoring header.
The host was one goal from qualifying after a penalty converted by Cortez at 69. And ten from the end, Jonathan Perlaza gave him the classification with a left foot from outside the area.
The Ecuadorian team, runner-up in the competition in 1990 and 1998, will have to wait for the winner of the series between Fluminense de Brasil and Cerro Porteño, which was postponed due to the death of the son of the Paraguayan club’s coach. (AP)
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