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Santos hang 8 on Bolivar to complete Copa Libertadores quarterfinal field

Neymar (Getty Images)

So much for the defending Copa Libertadores champions being shown an early exit.

Neymar scored two goals and had a hand in five others as Santos easily overturned a 2-1 first-leg deficit with an 8-0 demolition of Bolivian side Bolivar Thursday night to advance to the tournament quarterfinals. 

Elano opened the scoring with a golazo off the outside of his foot from distance in the sixth minute, and the rout continued with Santos taking a 5-0 lead by the 37th minute. Elano and Paulo Ganso each finished with two goals, with Ganso scoring on a back-heel flick for Santos' third goal, and the defending champions advanced to face Argentine side Velez Sarsfield.

Santos were not the only ones to overturn a deficit with a rout Thursday, as Universidad de Chile came back from a 4-1 first-leg loss to Deportivo Quito with a 6-0 win in the home leg to stay alive. Star striker Junior Fernandes and forward Henriquez Iturra each scored twice to key the comeback, and the Chilean side will meet Paraguay's Libertad in the next round. 

Highlights from Santos' finishing clinic and the entire quarterfinal field for the Copa Libertadores are after the jump:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIi7WuiC1EY]

COPA LIBERTADORES QUARTERFINAL FIELD

Fluminense (Brazil) vs. Boca Juniors (Argentina)

Universidad de Chile (Chile) vs. Libertad (Paraguay)

Corinthians (Brazil) vs. Vasco de Gama (Brazil)

Santos (Brazil) vs. Velez Sarsfield (Argentina)

The first legs of each quarterfinal will be played May 15, with the second legs following on May 22.

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What did you think of Santos' rout? Who do you see advancing to the semifinals of the Copa Libertadores?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Santos 3rd goal was awesome. Neymar is getting cocky as hell. What is the speculation about where he ends up in Europe?

    Reply
  2. The differences in results at home to away are so wide one could think different teams were involved. Is the environment that important to results?

    Reply
  3. Junior went off on Bolivar, respect. Also, that is some quaterfinal field. Those games are gonna be live as hell. If I may try my hand at being Nostradamus, I will take Santos, Vasco, U de Chile, and Boca.

    Reply
  4. No surprise to see teams from Brazil and Argentina dominating this tournament. It will be exciting to see what happens in the next round, these are all very good match ups. Corinthians vs. Vasco de Gama is always intense.

    Reply

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