Copa Libertadores Review: Nacional advance to quarters, River eliminated

Nacional advanced to the quarter-finals of the Copa Libertadores following a drama-filled 2-2 draw at Corinthians on Wednesday. 

The Uruguayan side, who were held to a scoreless draw in the first leg, led twice at the Arena Corinthians but were pegged back on both occasions, though it was enough to see Nacional progress on away goals.

Nicolas Lopez kept up his great goalscoring form to open proceedings inside five minutes before Corinthians equalised 10 minutes later through winger Lucca.

Nacional restored their lead 12 minutes into the second half thanks to Santiago Romero’s strike, however a thrilling finale saw Corinthians given two opportunities to score from the penalty spot. 

A foul in the box presented Andre with the chance to level the scores in the 82nd minute but his spot-kick was saved by Nacional goalkeeper Esteban Conde. 

Corinthians were reduced to 10 men late on when Fagner Conserva Lemos was shown a red card, though another penalty saw Marquinhos Gabriel score an equaliser in stoppage time.

However, it was too late to find a winner, with Nacional holding on to book a spot in the last eight against either Boca Juniors or Cerro Porteno.

Defending champions River Plate were eliminated from the round of 16 despite their 1-0 win over Independiente del Valle. 

River came into the home leg of the tie at Estadio Monumental 2-0 down and found it difficult to break down a resolute Independiente defence. 

Lucas Alario gave the Argentine giants a glimmer of hope with a goal 11 minutes from time, but it was not enough as River suffered a 2-1 aggregate defeat. 

In other results, Lucas Pratto’s 72nd-minute goal saw Atletico Mineiro book their spot in the quarters with a 2-1 win over Racing Club. 

After a scoreless first leg in Argentina, Atletico took the lead at home through Carlos in the 16th minute, but Racing were level just six minutes later thanks to Lisandro Lopez’s penalty.

However, all Atletico needed was one more goal to go through, with 27-year-old Pratto netting the winner 18 minutes from time.

Atletico will face fellow Brazilian outfit Sao Paulo in the last eight of the competition despite their 3-1 loss to Mexican side Toluca. 

Sao Paulo progressed 5-3 on aggregate after last week’s 4-0 first-leg rout.