Copa Libertadores: Tigres Upend Internacional, Advance To Final; River Plate To Represent CONMEBOL In FIFA CWC

At San Nicolas de los Garza, Mexico:

Andre-Pierre Gignac (18'), Geferson (OG-40'), and Egidio Arevalo Rios (55') provided the scoring on Wednesday as Tigres overcame their series-opening defeat with a 3-1 game-two home victory over Internacional and won their Copa Libertadores semifinal series 4-3 on aggregate.

The Mexican club will host the opening match of the Copa Libertadores Final against River Plate next Wednesday, with the return contest set for August 5 at Buenos Aires.

Since a club from a non-CONMEBOL country (Mexico, a member of CONCACAF) advanced to the final, River Plate, as the highest-finishing South American club, will represent CONMEBOL in December's FIFA Club World Cup, set to take place in Japan.

Copa Libertadores: River Plate Knock Out Guarani, Advance To Final

At Asuncion, Paraguay:

Lucas Alario scored in the 79th minute on Tuesday as River Plate gained a 1-1 game-two road draw with Club Guarani and won their two-game Copa Libertadores semifinal series 3-1 on aggregate.

The Argentinian club will be gunning for their third continental club championship, their first since 1996.

Copa LIbertadores: Internacional Outlast Tigres In Semifinal Opener

At Porto Alegre, Brazil:

Andres D'Alessandro (5') and Valdivia (10') each scored a goal on Wednesday as Internacional held off visiting Tigres 2-1 in the opening game of their Copa Libertadores semifinal series.  Hugo Ayala kept the Mexican club in the series with his goal in the 23rd minute.

Copa Libertadores: River Plate Take Semifinal Series Opener

At Buenos Aires:

Gabriel Mercado (60') and Rodrigo Mora (73') each scored a goal on Tuesday as River Plate blanked visiting Club Guarani 2-0 in the opening game of their two-match series as the semifinal round of the Copa Libertadores commenced.

Copa Libertadores: Scoreless Road Draw Good Enough For Guarani As Paraguayan Club Advances To Semis

At Avellaneda, Argentina:

A 0-0 game-two road draw with Racing Club was good enough for Club Guarani as the Paraguayan club won their two-match series 1-0 on aggregate on Thursday and advanced to the semifinal round of the Copa Libertadores.

Here are the match-up for the Copa's Final Four, with the game-one hosts listed first:

River Plate (Argentina) vs. Club Guarani (Paraguay)

Internacional (Brazil) vs. Tigres (Mexico)

Both series will open July 14-16, with the return matches set for June 21-23.  The winners will meet in the two-game final, set for July 29 and August 5.

Copa Libertadores

Two more teams advanced to the semifinal round of the Copa Libertadores on Wednesday.

At Porto Alegre, Brazil:

Juan Silveira dos Santos (2') and Yerry Mina (OG-88') provided the scoring as Internacional blanked visiting Independiente Santa Fe 2-0 in game two and won their two-match series 2-1 on aggregate.

At Belo Horizonte, Brazil:

Carlos Andres Sanchez (19'), Jonathan Maidana (44'), and Teofilo Gutierrez (51') each scored a goal as River Plate more than made up for their series-opening home defeat with 3-0 game-two road domination of Cruzeiro and eliminated the Brazilian club 3-1 on aggregate.

Copa Libertadores: Tigres Advance To Semifinals

At San Nicolas de los Garza, Mexico:

In the lone Tuesday Copa Libertadores quarterfinal-round contest, Rafael Sobis (5') and Jose Arturo Rivas (79') each scored a goal as Tigres blanked visiting Club Sport Emelec 2-0 in game two and won their two-game series 2-1 to advance to the semifinal round.

Copa Libertadores: Guarani, Cruzeiro Take Series Openers

Two games were contested in the quarterfinal round of the Copa Libertadores on Thursday.

At Asuncion, Paraguay:

Julian Benitez scored the only goal of the match in the 85th minute as Club Guarani defeated visiting Racing Club de Avellaneda 1-0 in the opening game of their two-match series.

At Buenos Aires:

Marcos Antonio da Silva Goncalves (a.k.a. Marquinhos) scored the only goal of the match in the 82nd minute as Cruzeiro knocked off River Plate 1-0 on the road in the opening match of their two-game series.

Copa Libertaodres: Santa Fe Takes Series Opener

At Bogota, Colombia:

In the lone Wednesday contest from the quarterfinal round of the Copa Libertadores, Dairon Mosquera scored the winning goal in the opening minute of second-half stoppage time as Independiente Santa Fe defeated visiting Internacional 1-0 in game one of their two-match series.

Copa Libertadores: Emelec Take Series Opener From Tigres

At Manta, Ecuador:

Miller Bolanos scored the only goal of the match in the 63rd minute on Tuesday as Club Sport Emelec took the opening game of their two-match series with Tigres 1-0 at home as the quarterfinal round of the Copa Libertadores commenced.

Hooliganism, Argentinian Style

Nice going, knuckleheads!

Because of loutish behavior from so-called "fans," Boca Juniors were tossed out of the Copa Libertadores and must play their next four home continental matches behind closed doors.

Boca's arch-rivals, River Plate, won their two-game Round of 16 series by default and will get to play Cruzeiro of Brazil in the quarterfinal round.

Copa Libertadores: Racing Club, Emelec Advance To Semis; Second Game of Boca-River Series Suspended After Pepper Spray/Tear Gas Attack

The Copa Libertadores concluded its' Round of 16 with three games on Thursday.

At Buenos Aires:

The second match between Boca Juniors and visiting arch-rivals River Plate was suspended after visiting players were attacked by pepper spray or tear gas shortly before the second half was to start.  The score was 0-0 (with River Plate leading 1-0 on aggregate).  The match was suspended after a delay of over an hour.

At Avallaneda, Argentina:

Washington Comacho (15') and Gustavo Bou (39') each scored a goal as Racing Club de Avallaneda defeated visiting Montevideo Wanderers 2-1 in game two and won their series 3-2 on aggregate.

At Medellin, Colombia:

Despite dropping a 1-0 game-two decision on the road, Club Sport Emelec ousted Atletico Nacional 2-1 on aggregate.

Copa Libertadores: Internacional, Guarani, Cruzeiro Advance to Quarterfinals

Three games were played on Wednesday as the first knockout round of the Copa Libertadores continued.

At Porto Alegre, Brazil:

Valvidia (21'), Andres D'Alessandro (45'), and Lisandro Lopez (80') each scored a goal as Internacional downed visiting Atletico Mineiro 3-1 in game two and won their two-match series 5-3 on aggregate.

At Sao Paulo, Brazil:

Fernando Fernandez scored the only goal of the match in the opening minute of second-half stoppage time as Club Guarani knocked off Corinthians 1-0 on the road in game two and ousted the Brazilian club 3-0 on aggregate.

At Belo Horizonte, Brazil:

After Leandro Damiao scored in the 54th minute to give Cruzeiro a 1-0 advantage after regulation of the second game, thus squaring their series with visiting Sao Paulo at 1-1 on aggregate, and with overtime dispensed with, Marcos Antonio da Silva Goncalves (a.k.a. Marquinhos), Giorgian De Arrascaeta, Henrique Pacheco Lima, and Gabriel Xavier converted their spot kicks as Cruzeiro took the penalty-kick shootout 4-3 to advance to the quarterfinal round.

Copa Libertadores: Santa Fe Overcome Series-Opening Defeat, Oust Estudiantes

At Bogota, Colombia:

Francisco Meza (33') and Yamilson Rivera (79') each scored a goal as Independiente Santa Fe overcame their series-opening defeat on Tuesday night with a 2-0 game-two home win over Estudiantes and eliminated the Argentinian club 3-2 on aggregate to advance to the quarterfinal round of the Copa Libertadores.

Copa Libertadores: Boca, Emelec Grab Round-of-16 Series Openers; Late Equalizer Gain Series-Opening Road Draw For Racing Club Against Montevideo Wanderers

Three games were played on Thursday as the Copa Libertadores' Round-of-16 continued.

At Buenos Aires:

Carlos Sanchez successfully converted a penalty kick in the 82nd minute as Boca Juniors defeated their visiting arch-rival River Plate 1-0 in the opening match of their two-game series.

At Montevideo, Uruguay:

Brian Fernandez delivered the equalizer in the 87th minute, lifting Racing Club de Avellaneda to a series-opening 1-1 road draw with Montevideo Wanderers.  Matias Santos scored for the hosts in the 55th minute.

At Manta, Ecuador:

Emanuel Herrera (41') and Miller Bolanos (74') each scored a goal as Club Sport Emelec blanked visiting Atletico Nacional 2-0 in the opening match of the clubs' two-game series.

Copa Libertadores: Club Guarani, Sao Paulo Take Series Openers; Atletico Mineiro and Internacional Draw in Belo Horizonte

Three games were played on Wednesday as Copa Libertadores Round-of-16 action continued.

At Belo Horizonte, Brazil:

Lisandro Lopez (2') and Valdivia (61') each scored a goal as Internacional gained a series-opening 2-2 road draw with Atletico Mineiro  Douglas Santos (14') and Leonardo Silva (90'+4) delivered the goals for the hosts.

At Asuncion, Paraguay:

Federico Santander (60') and Alberto Contrero (81') delivered the scoring as Club Guarani blanked visiting Corinthians 2-0 in the opening contest of their two-game series. 

At Sao Paulo, Brazil:

Adrian Ricardo Centurion scored the only goal of the match in the 83rd minute as Sao Paulo defeated visiting Cruzeiro 1-0 in the opening contest of their two-game all-Brazilian series.

Copa Libertadores: Tigres Advance To Quarterfinals; Estudiantes Take Series Opener

The Copa Libertadores' Round of 16 resumed on Tuesday with two games.

At Nicolas de los Garza, Mexico:

Rafael Sobis' penalty kick in the 75th minute enabled Tigres to gain a 1-1 game-two home draw with Universitario as the hosts won their two-match series 3-2 on aggregate.

At La Plata, Argentina:

Guido Carrillo scored the winning goal in the 29th minute as Estudiantes held off visiting Independiente Santa Fe 2-1 in opening match of their two-game series.  Wilson Morelo's road goal in the 80th minute kept the Colombian club in the series.

Copa Libertadores: Tigres Take Series Opener With Club Universitario On Road

At Sucre, Bolivia:

Enrique Esqueda (55') and Damian Alvarez (63') each scored a goal on Tuesday as Tigres defeated Club Universitario 2-1 on the road in the opening contest of a two-match series as the knockout stage----namely the Round of 16----of the Copa Libertadores commenced.

Copa Libertadores

Four games were played on Tuesday as the final week of group-stage action in the Copa Libertadores commenced.

GROUP THREE:

At Belo Horizonte, Brazil:

Willian (37') and Leonardo Renan Simoes de Lacerna (56') delivered the scoring as Cruzeiro defeated visiting Universitario 2-0, enabling them to jump the Bolivian club and win the Group Three title.  Both clubs qualified for the knockout stage.

At Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela:

Zamir Valoyes scored twice (9', 34') as Mineros knocked off visiting Huracan by dominating the Argentinian club 3-0 and knocking the guests out of the tournament.

Final Group Three Standings:

1. Cruzeiro (GP: 6; GD: +5; PTS: 11)
2. Universitario (GP: 6; GD: +1; PTS: 9)
3. Club Atletico Huracan (GP: 6; GD: -1; PTS: 7)
4. Mineros de Guayana (GP: 6; GD: -5; PTS: 4)

Cruzeiro and Universitario advanced to the knockout stage.



GROUP SEVEN:

At Medellin, Colombia:

Luis Carlos Ruiz scored twice (50', 52') as Atletico Nacional demolished visiting Club Libertad 4-0 and won Group Seven and a knockout-stage berth and ultimately eliminated the Paraguayan club from the tournament.  

At Guayaquil, Ecuador:

Luciano Acosta (78') and Guido Carrillo (83') produced the scoring as Estudiantes locked up a berth in the knockout stage with their 2-0 road win over Barcelona Sporting Club.

Final Group Seven Standings:

1. Atletico Nacional (GP: 6; GD: +5; PTS: 11)
2. Estudiantes La Plata (GP: 6; GD: +4; PTS: 10)
3. Club Libertado (GP: 6; GD: -3; PTS: 8)
4. Barcelona Sporting Club Guayaquil (GP: 6; GD: -6; PTS: 4)

Atletico Nacional and Estudiantes La Plata advanced to the knockout stage.

Copa Libertadores: Corinthians, Montevideo Wanderers Advance To Knockout Stage; Boca Conclude Perfect Group Five Run

The next-to-last week of Copa Libertadores group-stage play concluded on Thursday with four games.

GROUP TWO:

At Sao Paulo, Brazil:

A 0-0 home draw with San Lorenzo clinched the Group Two title for Corinthians.

Group Two Standings:

1. y-Corinthians (GP: 5; GD: +8; PTS: 13)
2.    Sao Paulo (GP: 5; GD: +3; PTS: 9)
3.    San Lorenzo (GP: 5; GD: 0; PTS: 7)
4. z-Danubio FC (GP: 5; GD: -11; PTS: 0)

y-Clinched Group Two title and berth in knockout stage

z-Eliminated from tournament



GROUP FOUR:

At Santiago, Chile:

Nilmar scored twice (9', 31') as Internacional climbed to the top of the Group Four standings with one game left as they demolished Universidad de Chile 4-0 on the road and eliminated the hosts from the tournament. 

Group Four Standings:

1.    Internacional (GP: 5; GD: +5; PTS: 10)
2.    The Strongest (GP: 5; GD: 0; PTS: 9)
3.    Club Sport Emelec (GP: 5; GD: +2; PTS: 7)
4. z-Universidad de Chile (GP: 5; GD: -7; PTS: 3)

z-Eliminated from tournament



GROUP FIVE:

At Barinas, Venezuela:

Matias Santos (33'), Nicolas Albarracin (63'), and Gaston Rodriguez (87') each scored a goal as Montevideo Wanderers locked up a berth in the knockout stage with 3-0 road domination of already-eliminated Zamora FC.

At Buenos Aires:

Leandro Marin (81') and Jonathan Calleri (90'+2) delivered the goals as Boca Juniors completed a perfect group-stage run with a 2-0 home blanking of Palestino, eliminating the Chilean club from the tournament.

Final Group Five Standings:

1. Boca Juniors (GP: 6; GD: +17; PTS: 18)
2. Montevideo Wanderers (GP: 6; GD: +1; PTS: 10)
3. Club Deportivo Palestino (GP: 6; GD: 0; PTS: 7) 
4. Zamora FC (GP: 6; GD: -18; PTS: 0)

Boca Juniors and Montevideo Wanderers advanced to the knockout stage.