July 8 – Will a Brazilian club go on to win the Copa Libertadores again this season? With both Boca Juniors and River Plate from Argentina eliminated and all of Flamengo, Corinthians, Palmeiras and Atletico Mineiro in the last eight, Brazil’s dominance in South America’s premier club competition is undeniable.
The Buenos Aires giants exited the competition early this week, with River Plate falling surprisingly to city rivals Velez Sarsfield 1-0 on aggregate while Boca Juniors were edged out after a penalty shootout by Sao Paulo giants Corinthians, who will meet 2019 winners and last year’s finalists Flamengo in the quarterfinals.
The Rio giants won narrowly 1-0 against Deportivo Tolima in Colombia, but absolutely annihilated their opponents in the return leg at a packed Maracana, 7-1. Striker Pedro scored four times in the resounding win.
“It was the most special game, certainly among the most important,” said Pedro. “Four goals in a Libertadores match is not for every player. Everything is in the past, I had difficult moments, but I am thinking and focused on the moment I am living.”
Defending champions Palmeiras demolished Paraguay’s Cerro Porteno 8-0 over two legs to set up the standout tie of the last eight against Brazilian champions Atletico Mineiro, who edged past Emelec 2-1 on aggregate.
“That’s what we have to do,” said Palmeiras coach Abel Ferreira following criticism over the club’s draw with Avai. “We really have to believe. When the coach does stupid things and the players play badly, we have to believe and support because this is [what it means] to belong to the Palmeiras family.”
Fortaleza were the only Brazilian club to crash out in the second round, losing to Argentina’s Estudiantes 4-1 on aggregate. They will play Athletico PR in the last eight.
Ecuador’s Guayaquil will stage this year’s final on October 29.
Quarter-finals:
Palmeiras vs Atletico Mineiro
Flamengo vs Corinthians
Velez Sarsfield vs Tallares Cordoba
Estudiantes vs Athletico PR
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