MY ACCOUNT
A 10-man Corinthians moved a step closer to securing their place in the Copa Libertadores knockout stage, playing out a 1-1 draw with Boca Juniors on Tuesday.
The draw at the Bombonera means the Timao maintained their one-point lead over Boca in Group E on eight points. Deportivo Cali and Always Ready sit on five and four points respectively, with their game on Thursday awaiting.
Corinthians were looking to absorb from the opening minute and scored with their only shot for the match, with Du Queiroz’s attempt following a corner trickling past Agustin Rossi in the 16th minute.
Dario Benedetto scored the equaliser on his birthday three minutes from the interval, but Boca largely could not break Corinthians down, even after the latter went down to ten men.
A lengthy melee and stoppage following Victor Cantillo’s straight red also saw Corinthians coach Vitor Pereira given his marching orders, but his side emerged with an important point.
Flamengo coast through to last 16
Flamengo booked their spot in the knockout stage, securing a comfortable 3-0 win at home to Universidad Catolica.
The Rubro-Negro hit the lead in only the seventh minute, with Willian Arao heading home Giorgian de Arrascaeta’s corner. Everton Ribeiro doubled the margin six minutes from the interval.
Pedro rounded out the scoring with a fine solo finish in the final minute of regular time, securing the fourth win from five games and a five-point margin atop Group H.
Estudiantes also secure progress
Estudiantes also confirmed passage to the last 16 earlier on Tuesday, claiming a 1-0 win away to second-placed RB Bragantino.
Gustavo del Prete’s wonderfully improvised finish in the 77th minute ultimately proved the difference between the two sides in what was otherwise a tightly contested game of little clear chances.
While Estudiantes moved to 13 points from five games, Bragantino’s second spot remains within touching distance of Nacional and Velez Sarsfield, who play on Wednesday.
