Copa Libertadores 2011, Semifinals: Santos Vs. Cerro Porteño, Peñarol Vs. Velez Sarsfield

Wednesday night’s 2011 Copa Libertadores Semifinal was entirely predictable, but it still sets up a very interesting return leg in Paraguay. Away from home and facing a tough opponent, Cerro Porteño predictably played a very defensive style of play, and Santos FC predictably found one goal, but one goal only to squeak by their rivals at home with a 1-0 win.

Neymar was the man who created the goal, to the surprise of no one. Picking the ball up around 20 yards from goal, Neymar dribbled out to the left side of the penalty area and beat two men with his dribbling skills and pace to get himself to the byline and put in a cross. That cross met the head of captain Edu Dracena, who headed in the game’s only goal off the underside of the crossbar.

Copa Libertadores is going by quickly, already in its semifinal stage after the competition started in late January, with the group stages beginning in February. Four worthy competitors remain, and their differing styles of play make this year’s final four a very intriguing one. Santos FC take their very exciting and very Brazilian style of play to face Cerro Porteño, a very defensive team, while counter-attacking side Peñarol takes on a possession-based Velez Sarsfield side who relies on a central playmaker.

Santos FC Vs. Cerro Porteño