Copa Libertadores 2024: Fluminense Keep Their Title Defense On Track, Atlético Mineiro And Colo-Colo Also Advance
Fluminense escaped a scare from Gremio to keep their momentum going in the ongoing Copa Libertadores. Clube Atlético Mineiro saw off a challenge from San Lorenzo and Colo-Colo brushed aside Junior to reach the quarter-final stage of Copa Libertadores.
Let us take a look at the first three Round of 16 matches in detail:
Fluminense vs Gremio
After losing the first leg 2-1, Fluminense came into the second leg of their Round of 16 clash against Gremio full of optimism. The hosts got off to a flying start creating chance after chance in front of a packed crowd at Maracanã. It was the captain Thiago Silva who opened the scoring for the hosts with a brilliantly leaped header in the 14th minute. John Arias doubled the scoring for Fluminense from a spot kick to give them the lead in the tie.
Gremio started the second half on the front foot creating a few good chances. Gustavo Nunes pulled one back for Grêmio against the run of play late in the second half to take the game to penalties where Fabio saved two penalties to give Fluminense a 4-2 win on penalties.
With this win the defending champions set up a mouth-watering clash against Atlético Mineiro in the quarter-final.
Atlético Mineiro vs San Lorenzo
There was all to play for at Arena MRV between Atletico Mineiro and San Lorenzo after the first leg ended in a 1-1 draw. Atlético dominated the possession early on but had very little to show for it as they were unable to breach the backline of Lorenzo. It was the Argentinian-based outfit who got closest to opening the scoring, hitting the crossbar in the 43rd minute.
Lorenzo came out all guns blazing in the second half with Cuello receiving a couple of golden opportunities to put the visitors in front. After weathering the early storm, Mineiro got hold of things and took the lead of the game thanks to a set-piece goal from defender Rodrigo Battaglia. Mineiro held on in the latter stages of the game to book themselves a quarter-final date against defending champions Fluminense.
Junior vs Colo-Colo
Colo-Colo came into the second leg against Junior on the back of a 1-0 lead from the first leg. The hosts imposed early pressure on Colo-Colo with Carlos Bacca almost putting them in front but his shot from range narrowly missed the target.
Junior’s failure to take their chances was punished when Lucas Capeda latched on to an opportunity in the 43rd minute to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. The lead, however, did not last long as Carlos Bacca made sure that Junior went into the halftime with the game level on the night.
The second half was much of the same story with Junior creating chances at regular intervals but their finishing letting them down. Colo-Colo took the lead in the match when Maximiliano Falcón slotted home from close range in the 74th minute to take the tie beyond the reach of Junior.
The game ended with Rafael Pérez getting sent off in the 81st minute to complete the miserable night for Junior. Colo-Colo now await the winner of the Round of 16 tie between Talleres and River Plate to find out their quarter-final opponent.
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Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
