Copa Libertadores Wrap: Olimpia, Santa Fe progress

Paraguay’s Olimpia have overcome Tigre of Argentina 2-0 to win 3-2 on aggregate and advance to the Copa Libertadores’ quarter-finals.

Olimpia turned the two-legged tie around in the space of 13 minutes thanks to a fine volley from Fredy Bareiro and an own goal from Tigre defender Norberto Paparatto, to reach the final eight of South America’s premier continental competition for the first time since 2002.

Tigre headed to the Paraguayan capital of Asuncion with a 2-1 lead after the first leg in Argentina and looked on track to triumph over 180 minutes when Thursday’s match remained goalless at half-time.

But six minutes into the second half, Tigre’s defence failed to deal with a long ball into their penalty area with a header falling to Bareiro, who sent a left-foot volley into the bottom corner of the net from the edge of the box.

Olimpia suddenly led on away goals before taking another step towards the quarter-finals in the 65th minute when Paparatto bundled the ball into his own net from a corner.

The hosts held on to their 3-2 aggregate lead at the Estadio Defensores del Chaco to eliminate the Argentineans.

Santa Fe joined Olimpia in the quarter-finals after advancing on away goals, following a 2-2 aggregate result versus Brazil’s Gremio.

The Colombian Primera A-leaders started their home leg 2-1 behind Gremio on aggregate and the Brazilian visitors hung on to their lead until the 80th minute, when Walter Medina struck the decisive goal.

Medina played a one-two with Omar Perez on the edge of the area and then showed impressive strength to squeeze between two Gremio defenders before slotting the ball past visiting goalkeeper Dida.