Frustration for River but elation for Arsenal. Los Millonarios have put themselves in a good position to progress to the semis, but it could have been even better. Arsenal, meanwhile, celebrated an historic result in Guadalajara.
Arsenal, having been held to a 0-0 draw by Chivas in their first leg in El Viaducto two weeks ago, had a very big mountain to climb on their visit to Mexico. In only their second ever season in continental competition, they had to get an away win (or score draw) against one of Mexico’s biggest sides, a team who knocked Boca out of the Libertadores a few seasons ago. But any nerves were put to one side as Javier Yacuzzi swept them into the lead in only the second minute. Sergio Santana equalised for the hosts in the 16th, but Arsenal weren’t to be held back from their first ever semi-final, Yacuzzi doubling his tally in the 28th and Santiago Raymonda putting the result beyond all doubt with 12 minutes remaining. The final score: Chivas 1 – 3 Arsenal.
River, meanwhile, were playing their first leg tie against Uruguay’s Defensor Sporting in Montevideo’s Estadio Centenario, and returned to form after last weekend’s uncharacteristic away win in La Plata by ballsing things up late on. Ariel Ortega gave them an early lead in the 5th minute, with Pablo Gaglianone levelling things up just nine minutes later. With fifteen remaining, Radamel Falcao García thought he’d won it for River with another wondergoal, but Sergio Valenti popped up with a header to make the final score 2-2. With their home form, Tuesday’s return leg shouldn’t prove too stiff an obstacle for River, but a win would have given them just that little bit more breathing space…
Chivas 1 – 3 Arsenal
Defensor Sporting 2 – 2 River
Elsewhere in the competition, Club América de México eliminated Vasco da Gama after the latter could win only 1-0 in Rio, having lost the first leg 2-0 in Mexico City, and Millonarios of Colombia completed a stunning aggregate victory over Brazilian league leaders Sao Paulo, following up the shock 1-0 win in the Morumbí two weeks ago with a 2-0 win back in Bogotá on Wednesday night. Arsenal will play América, whilst River, if they get past Defensor, will play Millonarios in the other semi.
Hasta El Gol Siempre 
With Boca and the Brazilian sides going out, this looks like River’s best chance at a trophy in years. It will be interesting to see how they manage to balls it up.
I saw River’s match the other day…Playing against an uruguayan team isn’t easy at all, but, as Sam said, we could have been better. The question is, what the hell is happening with Carrizo? He turned into a doubtful goalkeeper. Maybe he’s not making enough effort, knowing that he’ll go to Europe eventually. But it’s a shame he’s having a hard time and it’s not fair to Ojeda, who was doing a great job before Carrizo came back.