Ceni stops two penalties to advance Sao Paulo to the quarterfinals
Following a 0-0 draw in both legs on Tuesday, Sao Paulo advanced to the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals by defeating Universitario of Peru 3-1 on penalties. Three-time champions Sao Paulo were anticipated to easily defeat the Peruvians, but they lacked grit in their play and were fortunate to advance on penalties.
The Brazilians, who last week earned a scoreless draw in Lima, outplayed their opponents for the majority of the match, but they were unable to overcome the tenacious Peruvians, who kept to their game plan and lined up in defense.
Attackers Dagoberto and Washington had Sao Paulo’s best opportunities to score in normal time.
After both legs, the aggregate scores were tied, leaving only the penalty shootout to determine the series.
Sao Paulo’s first penalty attempt was stopped by goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni, but he made up for it by stopping both of Universitario’s subsequent attempts, and forward Dagoberto’s flawlessly performed penalty kick ensured Sao Paulo’s progress into the quarterfinals.
After having to gnaw their nails the whole game, the loud 45,000 spectators at the Morumbi stadium joyfully celebrated the victory.
Cruzeiro and Nacional of Uruguay will play it out in Montevideo on Wednesday, with Cruzeiro leading 3-1 after the first leg. The winner will face Sao Paulo in the quarterfinals.
1994 winners Velez Sarsfield defeated Chivas de Guadalajara 2-0 at the Jose Amalfitani stadium in Buenos Aires, although the Argentines lost the match 2-3 overall after the two legs.
Velez took an early lead thanks to Uruguayan attacker Santiago Silva, but they had to wait until the 89th minute for their second goal, which was scored by Rolando Zarate.
With 37,000 supporters cheering them on, Velez attempted to score a third goal in stoppage time of the second half, which would have necessitated a penalty shootout, but they ultimately ran out of time.
In the quarterfinals, Chivas will play the victor of the game between Libertad and Once Caldas. The first leg at Manizales, Colombia, concluded in a scoreless tie.
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