Boca travelled to Cusco on Wednesday without Martín Palermo, Rodrigo Palacio, Hugo Ibarra or Juan Román Riquelme in their squad, but knowing that a win would all but seal their place in the second round of the Copa Libertadores. At 3,400 metres above sea level, though, it wasn’t going to be easy, and any fears were realised when Neri Cardozo got himself stupidly sent off for kicking the ball away (a second booking). In the second half, the hosts ran riot, Juan González, Miguel Mostto (also sent off, late in the second half) and Miguel Torres scoring the goals which complicate things for Boca. They lie second in Group 7 on 6 points from five games, behind Cienciano who have 9, but only one ahead of Toluca of Mexico, who have a match in hand.
River take on Caracas in the Venezuelan capital on Thursday night, boosted by the news that the hosts will have four starters suspended following incidents during the Venezuelans’ match against Colo Colo. River themselves, of course, are badly in need of a win, as much to boost morale as to help their passage to the next round, which is far from secure (or even probable).
And finally, a few highlights from Tuesday night’s match in Ecuador, which saw Banfield run out 1-0 winners away to El Nacional in Group 1, a result which leaves the boys from El Sur on the verge of qualification. Daniel Quinteros scored the only goal of the game.
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