Boca Juniors managed to qualify for the knockout stages of the Copa Libertadores tonight as second in Group C, despite thrashing 3-0 to The Strongest, from Bolivia, since the leader Barcelona affirmed in that position by beating Santos, from Brazil, 3 to 1 in Ecuador.
In this way the “xeneizes” had to settle for second place in the area at the end of the group stage tonight for the four participants, with Barcelona taking first place precisely from the two goals scored by an ex-Boca like Damin Daz , which he scored 15 minutes into the first half and 10 minutes into the second, when his teammate Jean Montao expanded at 32.
The scorer Kaio Jorge had achieved the partial tie for the Brazilians at 45 minutes of the first period. And in this way Barcelona finished first with 13 points, escorted by Boca with 10, while Santos and The Strongest closed with 6, although the Paulistas were third due to better goal difference.
In this way, all Argentine teams managed to go to the second round of the Libertadores, although some cases such as those of Boca and River Plate were significant, because both finished second in their groups.
And punctually the “xeneize”, which returned to the triumph after five presentations without victories, was not outstanding in its performance, as is customary, despite the difference reached over The Strongest, because the Bolivian team greatly diminishes its actions. when it comes down from the 3,650 meters high of La Paz.
Lo de Boca was a consequence of an approach proposed by his technician Miguel ngel Russo with a line of three in the background, projecting Nicols Capaldo, with great performance, on the right, and the Colombian Frank Fabra on the left.
And precisely Fabra also fulfilled his role on the offensive side, remarking once again that he is effective in that area that worries when defending, something that was revealed to a greater extent in the last pale presentations of his team.
And in fact, everything was quickly simplified for Boca, because after three minutes he was winning with a great goal from Agustn Almendra after an error from the Paceo team.
But when the night seemed to paint round for the young and talented midfielder from Boca, about half an hour into the first half, he had to leave the field with an apparent contracture in the right adductor, which set off the alarms regarding his presence in the semifinal next Monday. at 15 in San Juan against Racing Club, for the Professional League Cup.
The Colombian Jorman Campuzano took his place and with a minute to go, a combination between Fabra and Sebastin Villa concluded with him touching the ball to the second Boca goal inside the small area.
Comfort was a bad advisor for Boca, because it relaxed in the second half in most of its members, except Carlos Tevez, who demanded more energy and precision from his teammates to increase figures and dream of first place in the group if he lost. Barcelona.
About 10 minutes, Villa heard him, who overflowed on the right and threw a low center precisely to Tevez who was inside the small area, but the ball was intercepted by defender Gabriel Valverde with such bad luck that he beat his own goal.
The 3 to 0 was res judicata and the news that came from Guayaquil were not the best because Barcelona, led by the Argentine Fabin Bustos, broke the parity of the first period and beat Santos with authority, sealing the second place “xeneize” in the zone.
Nothing will change then until the end, which found Carlos Izquierdoz celebrating his 100 games with the Boca jersey, while some others may have worn it for the last time tonight.
Next Tuesday the round of 16 to be played after the Copa America will be raffled, and if one thing is certain it is that in that instance there will be no “superclassic”.
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