Copa Libertadores 03/19/08

By: Mauro | March 19th, 2008

Libertad vs. Fluminense (Estadio Defensores de Chaco, Asuncion, Paraguay)

Libertad hosted Flu in the early match tonight. Fluminense was coming off a demolition of Arsenal de Sarando at home, 6-0 was the final result. Libertad was coming off a 2-0 loss away to LDU Quito. With that said, Libertad was on the offensive trying to find a way past the well organized and tough Fluminense defense without much luck. But in the 29th minute, on a corner taken by Oswaldo Martinez, Juan Samudio was able to connect a nice header beating Fluminense’s keeper Fernando Henrique. But not 10 minutes later, Gabriel and Dario Conca connected for a nice play on the right where Gabriel was able to get a cross off and Washington was able to get it in the back of the net off a header. 1-1 and to the dressing rooms for half time. 5 minutes into the second half had Washington scoring again off a header from a corner served up by Dario Conca. And that was all she wrote. Flu takes the lead of Group 8 after 3 matches on goal difference over LDU Quito who also has 7 points. Arsenal follow with 3 points in 3rd place and Libertad, unable to get out the Group 8 basement, have 0 points and are one step out of this competition.

Flamengo vs. Nacional de Montevideo (Estadio Maracana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

Flamengo, who are in dire need of points to get them into the next round, host Nacional at home. Flamengo have a poor record in this competition overall but tonight had their home field and fans on their side. Nacional is coming into this match having beat Flamengo in their last match with 2 goals from Chengue Morales. With a win tonight, Flamengo could leapfrog both Cienciano and Nacional for first place in the group. In the first half, Nacional seemed to have more possession but fewer shots on goal. Flamengo ended the first half with 5 shot, two on goal but on one of those two hit paydirt. In the 24th minute Marcinho scored adding one more goal to his tally of two goals in this tournament. The 2nd half began with Flamengo creating more dangerous scoring opportunities and in the 65 minute Marcinho scored again off a header. One moment later, Juan had a shot rebound off the crossbar. Nacional had nothing left but to defend.

Match will be aired (tape delay) at 11:30pm PST on Fox Sports Español.

San Jose vs. Santos FC (Estadio San Jose, Oruro, Bolivia)

In the other late match, San José of Bolivia hosted Santos FC. This match will bring all the teams in this group level on matches played. San Jose has not had a decent run, only managing a draw at Cucuta, they need 3 points to get back in the mix of things in this group. Santos, on the other hand, would like a win to regain the lead of the group as they are going into this match with 4 points. I have not seen a minute of this match nor do I have any information other than San José are currently up 2-1 in the 61st minute of the second half. Luis Cerruti scored in the 11th minute and Gerson Luis Garcia scored in the 61st minute for San José and Kleber scored for Santos in the 7th minute. Seems the match is almost over and that would mean that San José has earned their first win in this tournament and a spot next to Santos in 2nd place after 3 matches. Cucuta still have the lead in the Group with 5 points and Chivas are surprisingly in last place in the group. Still nothing has been decided here as well.

This match will be aired at 1:30am PST on Fox Sports Español for those of you up at that hour.