* The expulsion of Advíncula
Barely 30 seconds into the match between Cruzeiro and Boca Juniors, Luis Advícula was sent off after a foul by Argentine Lucas Romero. Before the minute of play, Diego Martínez’s team was left with ten players in the second leg of the Copa Sudamericana round of 16 in Belo Horizonte.
The Peruvian full-back arrived late to the encounter with the Argentine Lucas Romero as soon as the match started, stepping on his ankle. It was an excessively forceful tackle produced by Advíncula’s blocks on the opponent’s leg, putting the opponent’s physical condition at serious risk.
Referee Wilmar Alexander Roldán Pérez did not hesitate and immediately gave the defender a red card, who left inconsolable and in tears while receiving greetings from his teammates. It was a good decision by the Colombian referee.
What caught the attention was the speed with which the Inca player had to leave the field of play and the record of an Argentine team in this competition was in the second phase of the 2015 edition, in the 5-1 win by Lanús against Belgrano de Córdoba, when Pablo Heredia (Belgrano goalkeeper), was expelled after 20 seconds after committing a penalty against Sergio González (Lanús).
Advíncula’s absence is not just another one. He is a pillar in the blue and gold team’s defense and whose experience and personality made him a star in other cup matches. Although this Thursday the Peruvian made a mistake and beyond the tears and the greetings from his teammates, he had no consolation.
With Advíncula’s departure, coach Diego Martínez had to regroup the team and sent Nicolás Figal onto the field, replacing Agustín Martegani. The start was a nightmare for the Xeneize team, as they were down on the scoreboard after 9 minutes thanks to a goal by Matheus Henrique.
The series was tied and the Brazilians made the most of the extra man. They played more in the opponent’s half and Boca Juniors had to retreat. Cruzeiro created more danger and the second chance was close. The Xeneize lost it with a clear chance from Kevin Zenón and paid dearly for that wasted chance, since at minute 21, Walace declared the 2-0 with a weak shot, but it beat Sergio “Chiquito” Romero who did not have a good vision in that play in which he had many players ahead of him after a corner.
Before that goal there was controversy over the corner kick awarded by the referee, who in this case made a mistake in his decision as the ball did not go completely out of bounds. Although it should be noted that there was no camera to prove that the ball went out, which is why Roldán Pérez validated the corner. The ideal for such cases is the simplified VAR, but it is not a system available by Conmebol.
Proof that the ball did not go completely out in the play that the referee called for a corner kick, which later led to Cruzeiro’s second goal against Boca Juniors
Despite playing with ten men, Boca Juniors took heart and improved their game. They got closer to the opponent’s area and in the last minutes of the first half deserved to score, which came in the 44th minute through Milton Giménez who beat goalkeeper Cássio. That goal tied the series again.
In the second half, Boca Juniors played as equals despite being down a man and sought the equalizer. They knew how to defend themselves, but they also tried to use the spaces left by Cruzeiro. The decision came down to penalties and there the Brazilian team won 5-4 after converting all their shots and in the face of Miguel Merentiel’s miss.
In a climate of great excitement at the Mineirao, the pass to the quarter-finals of the tournament was decided and Cruzeiro will face Libertad of Paraguay who eliminated another Paraguayan team, Sportivo Ameliano, on penalties.
In the first leg played at La Bombonera, Boca Juniors won 1-0 with a goal from Edinson Cavani, who was unable to play in the second leg due to a muscle tear.
