Copa Libertadores 2012, Round Of 16: Santos, La U Combine For 14 Goals

Santos FC defeated Bolivar on Thursday. Here’s a sentence you have probably never read before: The home side won the match 8-0, and the score was extremely flattering to the visitors. Santos are very good, and they’re going on to the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals.

Also moving on are Universidad de Chile, who pulled off a similar feat to Santos. After losing in the first leg, they dropped six goals on Deportivo Quito. In the other, more reasonable tie, Fluminense defeated Internacional.

Boca Juniors are one step closer to recapturing past glories with Juan Roman Riquelme leading the way yet again, while Corinthians look up to the challenge of winning the Copa Libertadores for the first time. In the best game of Wednesday night’s action, Vasco da Gama defeated Lanus on penalties.

Riquelme was at his best on Wednesday night, tallying two assists and a goal to end UE’s Copa campaign. Boca was ahead 2-1 on aggregate heading into the match and struck first in the 25th minute, with Juan Insaurralde scoring the opener. That gave Boca an away goal and a two-goal lead, creating a serious uphill battle for UE. When Pablo Mouche scored a second away goal for Boca in the 49th minute, the tie was essentially over and they fell asleep a bit. Jean Paul Pineda got one back for his side in the 61st minute, but that was quickly answered by Riquelme’s 67th minute strike. Sebastian Jaime rounded out the scoring for UE.

Tuesday was a surprise-free day in Copa Libertadores, with both of the big favorites advancing to the quarterfinals of the competition. Velez Sarsfield and Libertad are both moving on, and it would have been shocking if they failed to do so. Wednesday has a bit more intrigue.

This wasn’t a great performance by Velez, who were coming off of a loss at the weekend, but it was good enough to get them through. Augusto Fernandez put them up 1-0 on the night and 2-0 on aggregate with a goal in the 52nd minute, finishing off the rebound after Alejandro Cabral hit the post. Luis Mosquera brought Atletico Nacional back into the tie with a brilliant free kick goal in the 69th minute, but they couldn’t find a second goal.

Most of Copa Libertadores’ big favorites are in front of their ties or are in a good position to advance, but no one has their tie wrapped up. Possibly the two biggest favorites entering the competition, Santos and Universidad de Chile, both lost in the first leg of their ties. Every tie is worth watching.

Tuesday, 7 p.m.