Copa Libertadores Review: Boca close in on semi-finals, Bruno Henrique brace lifts Flamengo

Boca Juniors took a giant step towards the Copa Libertadores semi-finals, while Flamengo beat Internacional on Wednesday.

Runners-up last year, Boca comfortably beat a 10-man LDU Quito 3-0 in the first leg of their quarter-final in Ecuador.

Boca, with Daniele De Rossi watching from the bench, opened the scoring in the 11th minute, Ramon Abila getting on the end of an Alexis Mac Allister pass to make it 1-0.

LDU Quito were dealt a huge blow just before half-time as Jefferson Orejuela was sent off for a rash challenge.

Emanuel Reynoso doubled Boca’s lead with a brilliant 25-yard free-kick, and Kevin Minda was sent off while on the bench for the hosts.

 ¡Así se patea un tiro libre!

 La exquisita definición de Reynoso para el segundo de @BocaJrsOficial ante @LDU_Oficial.

 Hacía tres años que #Boca no marcaba de tiro libre en la #Libertadores. pic.twitter.com/yHpx2ApRkw

— CONMEBOL Libertadores (@Libertadores) August 22, 2019

Boca sealed a fine win with nine minutes remaining, Luis Caicedo’s poor defending eventually leading to the defender scoring an own goal.

If Boca and rivals River Plate, who play Cerro Porteno on Thursday, advance, they will meet in the semi-finals in a rematch of last year’s controversial decider.

In the day’s other game, Bruno Henrique’s late brace saw Flamengo beat Internacional 2-0 at the Maracana.

Henrique tapped in a Gerson pass for the 75th-minute opener before producing a fine finish soon after to seal Flamengo’s first-leg victory.