Author: Serg Atrakhov, Vishwajit Sawant
FLUMINENSE (Bra) – Argentinos Jrs (Arg) – 2:0
In the first leg of the Round of 16, these clubs drew 1-1. The teams played the first half of the second leg “without a gate”, without a single shot on goal. The Argentinians failed to trouble Fabio even after the break. But the hosts turned their first shot on target into a goal. Local spectators had to wait 86 minutes for this. I agree; it’s a long time, but when your team scores a goal, these things are forgiven. Samuel Xavier shot from outside the area past Federico Lanzillotta: 1:0.
A few minutes later, the referee withdrew guest coach Gabriel Milito. An unpleasant event for the guests, but in the end they remained on the pitch in equal compositions. And leveling the score in 10 minutes, which the referee added on, is a very real task. But instead, in the 97th minute, John Kennedy completed his pass with a shot into the bottom right-hand corner of the goal – 2-0. Santiago Montiel, who managed to pick up two yellow cards in the remaining time, summed up Argentinos Juniors’ performance in the tournament.
Going into the quarter-finals, Fluminense are looking to repeat their success of 2008, when their dramatic late victories saw them reach the final. However, the team faces the difficult hurdle of the quarter-finals, which has been their downfall in previous years. To progress, Diniz’s side need to find solutions to their playing problems, as they set their sights on the coveted title in a competitive Libertadores campaign. In the quarter-finals, Fluminense will face the winner of the “Flamengo” – “Olimpia Asuncion” tie
In the current edition of the Copa Libertadores, Fluminense has already earned 6 million 850 thousand dollars (for participation in the group stage – 3 million, for three wins in the group – 900 thousand, for reaching the round of 16 – 1.25 million, for reaching the quarter-finals – 1.7 million).
Athletico-PR (Bra) – BOLIVAR (Bol) 2-0 (penalty 4-5)
After losing 1-3 in Bolivia, Atlético needed to score at least two goals. The hosts solved half the problem in the 31st minute. Fernandinho confidently converted a penalty against Lampe: 1-0. Close to half-time, Bolívar managed to level the score. But the referee ruled that a foul had been committed during the attack and disallowed Patricio Rodriguez’s goal.
In the 68th minute, Barcelona’s Vitor Roque may have scored his last goal for Atlético. After the VAR check, the score was 2-0. In the sum of the two matches, the balance was restored. The hosts could have avoided a penalty shoot-out if Canobbio had struck more creatively in the 89th minute, but the goalkeeper turned away the threat.
The penalty shootout, as expected, was very nervous. The players made their attempts, forcing the goalkeepers to clear the ball from the net nine times. With Bolívar 5-4 up, Thiago Heleno needed to score a goal to start the game before the first miskick. However, the 34-year-old defender made a very long run and ended up hitting the crossbar… In the quarter-finals, Bolívar will play Internacional.
Atlético will now be able to throw all their strength into the league, where they currently occupy 7th place. In this edition of the Copa Libertadores, Atlético-PR earned 5 million 450 thousand dollars (3 million for their participation in the group stage, 1.2 million for their four wins in the group and 1.25 million for reaching the last eight).
Internacional (Bra) – RIVER PLATE (Arg) 2-1 (penalty 9-8)
A narrow 1-2 defeat in Argentina left Internacional with a good chance of reaching the quarter-finals. In the first half, the hosts failed to create any tension in the River Plate goal. Unless, in the 38th minute, they got a penalty, but the referee ruled that the game was within the rules.
All the most interesting things happened in the second half of the match. In the 61st minute, Mauricio scored a goal, but it was disallowed due to an offside position. Ten minutes later, Gabriel Mercado turned in a cross from a corner – the ball flew in off the post and into the goal: 1-0. The minimum task has been solved. But there was still enough time to formalize the exit in 1/4. And in the 78th minute, Alan Patrick scored from a free-kick – 2-0. It was only necessary not to concede in the remaining time, but in the 90th minute the defense played disgustingly, allowing Rojas to freely close down the goal from a corner – 2-1.
Don’t want to take the easy way out? So welcome to the “game of nerves” – a penalty shoot-out. The team’s players converted their first six attempts. Solari’s seventh shot was not counted – during the execution of the shot, he fell, touching the ball twice. Here it is – a chance to bring victory, but De Pena hit the post. The eighth and ninth shots were accurate. Before the tenth spot-kick, the referee decided to change the gate – the pitch at the penalty spot was in terrible condition.
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Perhaps the change of gates influenced Rojas’ mood. The author of the saving goal hit the crossbar, and Rocher beat his colleague Franco Armani to take Inter into the quarter-finals. There, the team will play Bolivar. There’s a chance to avenge Athletico-PR’s relegation.
In the current edition of the Copa Libertadores, Internacional have already earned 6 million 850 thousand dollars (for participation in the group stage – 3 million, for three wins in the group – 900 thousand, for reaching the round of 16 – 1.25 million, for reaching the quarter-finals – 1.7 million).