7 Years Later, A Brazilian Club Eliminates Boca Juniors

By: Bruno Romani | September 26th, 2007

Possibly, they are the two biggest sides in South American these days. Possibly this was one of the most thrilling matches of the year. The result at the end was a little bit different. After 7 years and 9 eliminations, São Paulo gave to Brazilian football the taste of eliminating Boca Juniors.

The match was bigger than the competition itself. São Paulo fans, so used to not showing up at Copa Sulamericana matches, crowed the Morumbi. São Paulo had full force. The atmosphere was of a final game. Until it got the first goal, through Aloisio with 8 minutes into the second-half, the home team played better. The desire for a victory was so high that, at times, São Paulo players lost positioning and passed the ball poorly. Boca, on the other hand, just held on to the 2-1 score of the first leg and wasted time.

After the goal, the Argentinean side started attacking São Paulo with long passes, trying to reach forward Palermo. The next 40 minutes were a test for the best defense of the Campeonato Brasileiro. Cross for a header. Alex Silva clears it. Passes in the box. Miranda shoots it away. Corner-kick. Breno saves it. And hits an Argentinean. For 40 minutes, a blue and yellow machine bounced back against the red, white and black wall. São Paulo ended the match with 4 center-backs. But ended the match with the ticket for the next round.

For the fans, the Sulamericana doesn’t matter anymore. São Paulo’s mission has been accomplished already.

Vasco 3 x 0 Lanus

Last week, I wondered about the quality of Brazilians teams. Besides São Paulo, Vasco reversed an amazing advantage the Argentinean side had. Leandro Amaral, twice, and Wagner Diniz drove the fans crazy in São Januário. Another Brazilian team qualified. Maybe, Brazilians are starting to realize that an International competition is important no matter what.

Arsenal 1 x 1 Goiás

If it is hard enough to follow Goiás when they play in Brazil, can you imagine when they play against some unknown club from Argentina? I just know the final score. The advantage of the Argentineans (3-2) was too large to be reversed.

Brazil 2 x 1 Argentina, so far. This Thursday Botafogo takes on River Plate.