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Copa Libertadores: Corinthians, Boca Juniors take semifinal edge after first legs

BocaJuniors (Getty Images)

Two of the most lethal attacks in South America have been held silent through the opening legs of the Copa Libertadores semifinals.

Boca Juniors shut out Universidad de Chile 2-0 on Thursday night, following Corinthians' 1-0 victory over Santos Wednesday night to take the early leads with an eye on reaching the finals.

Corinthians' victory came at the home of the defending champions, making the shutout all the more impressive. Goalkeeper Cassio Ramos came up big on multiple occasions to deny Santos from getting on the board, while Emerson's 28th minute golazo accounted for all the scoring. Emerson was sent off later in the match for a tackle on Neymar, though, and he will be forced to sit out next Wednesday's return leg.

Boca Juniors held serve at La Bombonera in Argentina — with Diego Maradona in attendance — getting goals from Santiago Silva and Juan Sanchez Mino to put Universidad in a hole as the series shifts back to Chile next Thursday. Universidad has turned over deficits at home in this tournament before, including posting six goals on Deportivo Quito in the Round of 16 to battle back from a 4-1 first-leg loss, so the high-powered Chilean side is not out of it yet. Boca, though, has been a team on a mission and has not lost in its last nine Libertadores matches.

What do you think of the first-leg results? Which teams do you see ultimately advancing to the final?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. who knows what Chelsea will look like in December? Nothing like the Cup winning side for sure.. How do you follow these games? TV? Stream?

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  2. Anyone but Corinthians is fine with me, I live in São Paulo and their fans are incredibly annoying only thing non Corintianos have on them is Libertadores. Hoping for some Neymar magic in the second game.

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  3. Corinthians shut out of Santos is very impressive. It will be interesting to see if they can keep their defensive form during the 2nd leg.

    Universidad de Chile has been fun to follow up until now, but I don’t seem them getting past Boca Juniors. Boca has look unstoppable so far and I think they still have to be considered favorites to win it all.

    I can see any of these teams beating Chelsea in the Club World Cup. All would match up well against them.

    Reply

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