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Palmeiras march into last 16Following another week of high drama and surprises, Palmeiras took their place in the round of 16 of the Copa Libertadores alongside Velez Sarsfield and Goias. Read on as FIFA.com reviews the latest developments in South America's biggest club tournament, three days of intriguing action that saw Chivas make history against Sao Paulo, Corinthians prevail in Chile, River Plate slip to a surprising defeat and The Strongest and Rosario Central hit the comeback trail.Vital win and a helping hand see Palmeiras through Palmeiras did what they had to do on Tuesday by disposing of Atletico Nacional 2-1 in Medellin thanks to strikes from Correa and Leonardo Silva. Carlos Diaz's injury-time riposte proved too little too late for the hosts, who saw the Brazilians replace them at the top of Group 7. The Paulistas had to keep the champagne on ice until Thursday, however, when Rosario Central's 3-1 win away to Paraguay's Cerro Porteno confirmed their qualification. With only one round of games left and a top-two finish safely in the bag, Palmeiras lie top with nine points, two clear of the Colombians and four ahead of their Argentine and Paraguayan challengers. The Rosario side's win came courtesy of a Hernan Encina strike and a brace from Marco Ruben, with Domingo Salcedo replying for the visitors. "We had to win here and we did just that. We've got to carry on with the same attitude," said two-goal hero Ruben. The identity of the second qualifier from the group will be revealed next week when Rosario entertain Atletico Nacional and Palmeiras host Cerro Porteno. Two draws, different reactions The week began with Internacional of Porto Alegre grabbing a valuable 0-0 draw from their visit to Montevideo's Nacional. The Brazilians are in the driving seat in Group 6 with 11 points, three clear of their next opponents Maracaibo, and Nacional, who visit the already eliminated Pumas UNAM, also in two weeks time. "We couldn't score but we're still in there with a shout. We're going to Mexico to qualify," declared defiant El Bolso coach Martin Lasarte. Meanwhile, his Brazilian counterpart Abel Braga declared himself satisfied with the result: "It was important not to lose. We're going home happy." Also on Tuesday Sporting Cristal and Estudiantes de La Plata played out an exciting 2-2 draw on the synthetic turf of Lima's National Stadium. Jose Luis Calderon's equaliser eight minutes from time was greeted with jubilation by the Argentine contingent. "We got what we came for, and now we can finish the job off at home," said Mariano Pavone, who scored the opener for Los Pinchas. The Peruvians were left to rue their benevolence after twice taking the lead through Jorge Soto and William Chiroque. "We're really annoyed we didn't win," said dejected Sporting keeper Erick Delgado. The result means the Group 2 qualification battle is now well and truly on, with all four sides locked together on seven points. Next week's fixtures see Independiente, who lead the way thanks to a superior goal difference of +1, host Sporting Cristal (0 GD, 10 goals for), while Estudiantes (-1 GD) entertain Bolivar (0 GD, 8 goals for). Chivas record famous win Chivas Guadalajara overcame Omar Bravo's dismissal to record a 2-1 win away at Sao Paulo to stay top of Group 1. In doing so they also brought to an end the Tricolor's amazing 30-game unbeaten run in Copa Libertadores games at the Morumbi, their last reverse coming some 19 years ago when Chile's Colo Colo won by the same scoreline. Aloisi put the defending champions ahead only for the Rebano Sagrado to hit back through Sergio Santana and Diego Martinez, the winner coming with just ten minutes left. A jubilant Bravo shrugged off his red card after the game: "The points we had in the bank gave us the confidence to go out and win today." Sao Paulo's Uruguayan defender Diego Lugano was in no mood for excuses: "You have to play well to win, and we played badly." There are two rounds of games left in the group and Chivas remain in pole position on 10 points, followed by the Brazilians on six, Caracas on four and bottom-placed Cienciano on three. Paulista made home advantage count in Jundiai when they stunned River Plate 2-1 to jump right back into contention in Group 8. "We've got so much belief in ourselves no one should write us off," said Jailson, who joined Amaral on the scoresheet for the hosts. An injury-time strike from Colombian midfielder proved insufficient for the Millonarios, who missed out on the chance to seal a last-16 spot. "We have two games left and we're hopeful of doing the job in Quito," remarked River winger Oscar Ahumada. Top dogs in the group are Libertad with eight points, two ahead of River and three clear of Paulista in third, with El Nacional bringing up the rear on two. The Strongest revived their Group 3 campaign with a narrow 1-0 win over previously undefeated Goias in La Paz. "El Tigre dream on," roared the front page of Bolivian daily La Razon before describing wing-back Ronald Gutierrez's winner as a "wonder strike". Goias coach Geninho was in more phlegmatic mood as he pondered defeat: "It's virtually impossible to stay unbeaten in the Copa. If you don't score, you pay for it, and The Strongest made us pay tonight." Goias remain out front on 10 points with The Strongest and Union Espanola in close pursuit on six, and Newell's Old Boys just two points back. The bottom two have both played a game less. Desperation for hosts Universidad Catolica passed up a wonderful opportunity to advance to the next round when they slipped to a 3-2 defeat at home to Corinthians of Brazil. Although Jorque Quinteros and Francisco Arrue were on the mark for the Chileans, a Carlos Tevez goal and a brace from Nilmar sealed the three points for the visitors, who ended the game with just nine men. The two sides are now tied at the top of Group 4 on 10 points and can only be caught by third-placed Tigres UANL, who have six points and a game in hand against bottom side Deportivo Cali. "We knew we couldn't afford to lose and we gave it everything. It was hard to hang on with nine men, but we did it and now we want more," said star man Tevez. Last but not least, LDU Quito moved ever closer to the round of 16 after their 4-0 demolition of Peru's Universitario in their Group 5 clash, the Quito outfit's goals coming from Agustin Delgado, Enrique Vera, Edison Mendez and Joffre Guerron. The win took LDU to nine points, just three behind the already qualified Velez Sarsfield and five clear of Rocha FC, who have a game in hand. The hapless Peruvians, with a solitary point to their name, bring up the rear. 12:37 PM - April 10, 2006 - post comment
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