Copa Libertadores 2012, Matchday 5: Boca Juniors Get Off The Skid

Boca Juniors have at least temporarily stopped the bleeding, recovering from their terrible loss over the weekend with a Copa Libertadores victory over a domestic foe. Fluminense did the minimum that was required of them at home, while the day’s two marquee matchups both ended in draws.

A bad own goal from Clemente Rodriguez gave Arsenal an early lead, but Boca Juniors did well to fight back after two straight losses. Arsenal looked like a good and confident side in the minutes after, but Pablo Mouche struck for Boca in the 28th minute and changed the game. Arsenal never really looked the same. Pablo Ledesma netted the eventual winner in the 67th minute, with Rodriguez atoning for his earlier mistake with an assist.

The world’s wackiest high-level club competition was anything but on Tuesday, though there were plenty of red cards. In the five Copa Libertadores games on Tuesday, all five home sides emerged victorious. Nacional of Paraguay and Lanus both made things more difficult than they should have been, while all of Internacional, Alianza Lima and Chivas Guadalajara coasted to simple wins.

That period of time where The Strongest was a viable contender for a Copa Libertadores knockout stage place sure was fun. They were brought down a peg on Tuesday by Internacional and their superstar striker Leandro Damiao, who netted a hat trick. Dagoberto netted in the 3rd minute, which was followed by a 6th minute goal by Damiao that effectively ended the game. They scored three more for funsies. Jo closed out the scoring in the 80th minute. Dagoberto’s goal, scored with a chested control and a volley, was the best of the bunch.

This week’s Copa Libertadores schedule is loaded with a total of 11 games, but there are a couple of clear standouts. The two late games on Wednesday night between the teams at the top of Group 5 and Group 6 are the clear marquee matches of this fixture list. In other action, there are some very good sides that are in need of wins after early struggles, while all eyes will be on Boca Juniors to see if they can recover from this weekend’s shocking defeat.

Tuesday, 6:45 p.m. ET