Nacional suffer first loss, Sao Paulo sink Mineiro - COPA LIBERTADORES
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The quarter-finals of the 2016 Copa Libertadores kicked off earlier this week, with Rosario Central securing a narrow but valuable 1-0 home win over Atletico Nacional, consigning the Colombians to their first defeat of the competition. Sao Paulo won their all-Brazilian meeting with Atletico Mineiro by the same scoreline, while Nacional of Uruguay and Boca Juniors scored a goal apiece to leave their tie wide open.
FIFA.com looks back at the week’s three games.
The talking points
Unbeaten no more
Rosario Central scored a notable achievement in putting paid to Atletico Nacional’s unbeaten record in this year’s Copa. Turning in a tactically astute and effective performance, Los Canallas scored the game’s only goal six minutes in, with Walter Montoya firing home from distance. Content to maintain their lead, the Argentinians resisted the visitors’ numerous attempts to level the tie, riding their luck to secure a precious advantage ahead of next week’s return leg
Sao Paulo win the day
Sao Paulo struck the first blow in the tie between the only two remaining Brazilian sides, edging out Atletico Mineiro 1-0 at home. After an eventful opening, the chances dried up for both sides, with the solitary goal coming deep into an occasionally fractious second half, Michel Bastos heading home a set-piece with 12 minutes remaining.
All square
Meanwhile, Boca Juniors saw their recent winning run come to end with a nevertheless useful 1-1 draw at Nacional. Both goals came after the restart. Frank Fabra opened the scoring for Los Xeneizes on 69 minutes, darting into the Nacional box and powering a left-footed drive into the net. El Bolso drew on their fabled spirit to equalise just six minutes later, courtesy of Sebastian Fernandez’s superb volley on the turn.
The last of the quarter-final first legs will be played on Tuesday 17 May, when Independiente del Valle entertain Pumas UNAM.
The stat
8 - The number of Copa Libertadores matches Atletico Nacional had gone without defeat before going down narrowly to Rosario Central in their ninth outing in this year’s competition.
What they said
“We played a great team. We started off well but then we began seeing less of the ball, which meant we had to change the system and one or two other things. We knew we had to win at home and we managed it, and doing it without conceding was just perfect. We’ve still got 90 very tough minutes to go against a great side. You have to bear in mind that we’re up against the best team in this year’s Copa so far. It was a fantastic win for us.” Rosario Central coach Eduardo Coudet
Second legs:
Atletico Mineiro-Sao Paulo, 18 May 2016.
Boca Juniors-Nacional, 19 May 2016.
Atletico Nacional-Rosario Central, 19 May 2016.
Pumas UNAM-Independiente del Valle, 24 May 2016.