Copa Libertadores 2014, Week 3: Atletico Mineiro in control

The hosts got off to a great start, but couldn’t hold on for all three points. Mauro Matos scored the opener for San Lorenzo in the 21st minute after wonderkid Angel Correa surged into the box and dribbled through a sea of defenders, but Union Española fought back. Gustavo Canales snatched a big road point for his team with his 83rd minute goal, tapped in off a knockdown header by Sebastian Jaime. These teams sit third and fourth in a tight Group 2, out of qualification spots because of the next result.

Independiente del Valle is up to second, above San Lorenzo on goal differential, after this win. Christian Nuñez put the Ecuadorians up in the 26th minute, finishing off a through ball by Mario Rizotto. Botafogo struck back with a goal by Bolivar off a corner in the 59th minute, but Independiente would come through with a winner in stoppage time. Junior Sornoza was the hero, hitting a rocket from 30 yards to win it.

Copa Libertadores resumes Tuesday, with one of the tournament’s big favorites, Cruzeiro, facing a tough away match.

The best action through the early rounds has been in Group 5, where each team has one win and one loss to its name. All of the wins have been by the home side. That should make Defensor Sporting favorites in Tuesday’s match against Cruzeiro, but it’s tough to bet against the Brazilians, who laid a 5-1 beating on Universidad de Chile in their last game.