A mixed night for Argentina’s sides in the Copa Sudamericana on Wednesday. Arsenal can be very happy with themselves, River much less so and Boca are probably somewhere in between after conceding a late goal in arguably the round’s toughest tie. Lanús, meanwhile, can have no complaints at all.
Arsenal overcame a tricky away srarter against Brazilian side Goiás, running out 3-2 winners to take a lead and those crucial away goals back to El Viaducto for the second leg. River played weakly yet again away from home, losing 1-0 to Botafogo in Rio with a goal on the stroke of half time, and will have to rely on continuing their blistering form in El Monumental if they’re to progress. Boca looked to have won their first leg against Sao Paulo in La Bombonera comfortably, cruising to a 2-0 win until the visitors got a consolation right at the death which will give them every hope for next week back in Morumbí.
Lanús were Argentina’s most convincing representatives, though, a goal after half an hour of the first half from Agustín Pelletieri, and one after half an hour of the second half from José Sand continuing their great form at home, where they’ve now lost once in the last year. Their second leg against Vasco might be away, but they’ve got probably the most comfortable lead after the first leg.
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Botafogo are nothing special, I fully expect River to put the sword to them at home. Boca could be in some trouble going to Sao Paulo with just a one goal lead.