Copa Libertadores: Group Stage Play Concludes

Group stage play in the Copa Libertadores concluded Thursday.

Group Two:

At Asuncion, Paraguay:

Rodrigo Texeira's early goal (2') helped Deportivo Cuenca gain a 1-1 road draw with Guarani to clinch a berth in the knockout stage. The hosts were the only one of three Ecuadorian clubs to advance from the group stage.

At Buenos Aires, Argentina:

Martin Palmero's double (PK-13', 63') helped Boca Juniors clinch a knockout stage berth as the hosts overpowered (and eliminated) Deportivo Tachira 3-0.

FINAL GROUP TWO STANDINGS:

1. Boca Juniors (GP: 6; GD: +8; PTS: 15)
2. Deportivo Cuenca (GP: 6; GD: +5; PTS: 10)
3. Deportivo Tachira (GP: 6; GD: -3; PTS: 9)
4. Guarani (GP: 6; GD: -10; PTS: 1)

Boca Juniors and Deportivo Cuenca advanced to the knockout stage.

Group Three:

At Montevideo, Uruguay:

In a battle of Club Nacionals, Diego Arismendi (29'), Sebastian Coates (80'), and Nicolas Lodeiro (90') each tallied once as the Round-of-16-bound hosts from the Uruguayan capital overcame their Paraguayan counterparts 3-1.

At Buenos Aires, Argentina:

River Plate, already eliminated from the tournament, overpowered visiting Universidad San Martin, who already locked up a berth in the knockout stage, 3-0. Gustavo Bou (17'), Rubens Sambueza (PK-41'), and Diego Barrado (60') each tallied once for the hosts.

FINAL GROUP THREE STANDINGS:

1. Club Nacional (Uruguay) (GP: 6; GD: +9; PTS: 14)
2. Universidad San Martin (GP: 6; GD: -2; PTS: 8)
3. River Plate (GP: 6; GD: -2; PTS: 7)
4. Club Nacional (Paraguay) (GP: 6; GD: -5; PTS: 4)

Club Nacional (Uruguay) and Universidad San Martin advanced to the knockout stage.

The knockout stage (Round of 16) commences next Wednesday.

Here are the matchups for the two-match sets with the opening game hosts listed first.

Gremio vs. Universidad San Martin

Boca Juniors vs. Defensor Sporting

Club Nacional (Uruguay) vs. San Luis

Sao Paolo vs. Chivas of Guadalajara

Cruzeiro vs. Universidad de Chile

Sport Recife vs. Palmeiras

Libertad vs. Estudiantes

Caracas FC vs. Deportivo Cuenca

The return matches are scheduled for May 13.

As you may note, the two Mexican clubs start their two-game sets next week on the road. Whether the current outbreak of Swine Flu was a factor is still to be seen.

Actually, the matchups are based on how the group stage survivors fared in the group stage, based on total points, then goal differential, then total goals scored, then goals scored on the road.

UPDATE:

Both Chivas of Guadalajara and San Luis will be playing their scheduled Round-of-16 home contests in Bogota, Colombia due to concerns over the Swine Flu outbreak.