Copa Libertadores 2012, Matchday 3, Tuesday Scores: Peñarol Embarrassed, Cruz Azul Stay Undefeated

The opening fixtures of this week’s Copa Libertadores action featured some emphatic scores, with four clubs winning by multiple goals. Three teams took themselves to six points with their emphatic wins and established themselves as group favorites, while another gave themselves new life.

Peñarol 0-4 Atletico Nacional

It may not be too early to declare that the runners-up from last season are as good as done. They were always going to struggle to advance out of a loaded Group 8, but if they can’t keep it respectable against Atletico Nacional at home, there’s no reason to believe they can go on the road and get points from anyone.

The first goal came in the 9th minute on an absolutely stunning finish by Jherson Cordoba, who curled a beautiful low shot around Fabian Carini, barely sneaking the ball into the neat at the back post. Cordoba scored a second just after halftime, assisted by Dorlan Pabon with a brilliant flicked header, and the game felt like it was over at that point. Pabon would go on to score two goals of his own late in the rout. Atletico Nacional now have six points, which includes a win over Universidad de Chile.

Bolivar 1-3 Union Española

Bolivar were never expected to make the knockout stages of the tournament, but trips to La Paz for the other three teams in Group 3 could be decisive. Union Española passed that test on Tuesday, though things got off to a rocky start. Edhemir Rodríguez scored for Bolivar less than a minute into the match and they would defend well for the entirety of the first half, but the second half was a different story.

Mauro Diaz finally got the visitors on the board with a spectacular shot over the head of Marcus Arguello, who was off his line, in the 62nd minute. They would take the lead just four minutes later on a quick counter attack, with Emanuel Herrera scoring off of a through ball by Fernando Cordero. Jean Paul Pineda would clinch the win that took Union Española to six points in the group with a goal in the 85th minute.

Arsenal di Sarandi 3-0 Zamora

Last week, Zamora packed everyone behind the ball and fouled constantly as they drew 0-0 with Boca Juniors. Boca’s compatriots Arsenal wouldn’t give them the chance to do it a second time. Jorge Alberto Ortíz scored for Arsenal 75 seconds in and Zamora would never find a reply. Carlos Carbonero scored his team’s second on a corner kick and Luciano Leguizamón wrapped up the scoring with a goal at the end of a counter attack.

Cruz Azul 4-0 Deportivo Tachira

Deportivo Tachira drew Corinthians at home on the first match day, but the trip up to Mexico City was not so kind for them. The first half went just fine, but the second half featured a Cruz Azul shooting gallery. The first goal came on a penalty, and it was a soft one. Andrés Rouga was judged to have taken down Javier Aquino in the box in the 17th minute and was shown a yellow card, but the contact between the two was minimal. Adrian Cortes stepped up and buried the penalty, and that would be the only goal the Blue Machine scored in the first half.

Edixon Perea sealed the win with his 54th minute goal, and everything from then until the end was a bonus. Goal poacher and continental competition specialist Javier Orozco scored the third goal and ‘Tito’ Emmanuel Villa rounded out the scoring.