5-04-07 - Blowouts Abound in Libertadores Cup Playoffs

The Libertadores Cup Round of 16 matchups were practically decided after just one game thanks to a series of unexpected blowouts. Three of the eight first leg matches ended 3-0 in favor of the home team, with another at 5-1. Six of the home teams won their games, and only one (Paraná) lost. The return legs will be played next week between Tuesday and Thursday.

Mexico’s América, Argentina’s Boca Juniors, and Uruguay’s Defensor have one foot in the quarterfinals after posting 3-0 home wins over Chile’s Colo Colo, Argentina’s Vélez Sarsfield, and Brazil’s Flamengo. While the first two results are not that surprising, Defensor’s demolition of second-seeded Flamengo was perhaps the round’s biggest shock. The Red-and-Black was undefeated until its visit to Montevideo and now must win 4-0 in Rio in order to advance. While not impossible, it is definitely a tall order.

Another shocking result was Cúcuta’s thrashing of Toluca. After conceding a goal 25 seconds into the game, the Colombians champions rattled off five unanswered scores and can now lose the return leg in Mexico by three goals and still advance.

Two other matches ended favorably for the away team. Top-seeded Santos was held 2-2 by Caracas in the Venezuelan capital but now plays for a 1-1 draw in the return leg in São Paulo. Paraguayan champion Libertad is in even better shape after coming from behind to beat Brazil’s Paraná 2-1.

Two of the matchups are too close to call. Brazil’s São Paulo and Uruguay’s Nacional managed narrow wins in their games. São Paulo edged fellow Brazilians Grêmio 1-0 while Nacional outlasted Mexico’s Necaxa 3-2. São Paulo is in the best position for the second leg since it did not allow an away goal.

RETURN LEG SCHEDULE:

Tuesday, May 8th:
Colo Colo v América  (América leads, 3-0)
Toluca v Cúcuta  (Cúcuta leads, 5-1)

Wednesday, May 9th:
Flamengo v Defensor  (Defensor leads, 3-0)
Grêmio v São Paulo  (São Paulo leads, 1-0)
Vélez Sarsfield v Boca Juniors  (Boca Juniors leads, 3-0)

Thursday, May 10th:
Libertad v Paraná  (Libertad leads, 2-1)
Necaxa v Nacional  (Nacional leads, 3-2)
Santos v Caracas  (Tied, 2-2)