Corinthians and Santos advance in the Sudamericana

Corinthians defeated Vasco 3-1 this Wednesday to advance to the next round of the Copa Sudamericana, South America's second most important club competition. The team had already won the first game, in Rio, by 1-0. And Corinthians didn't waste too much time on the return leg, scoring a goal after just five minutes, with new signing Amoroso. Rafael Moura made it 2-0 in the 27th minute, with Diego scoring for Vasco six minutes later. The final goal of the game was scored in the 42nd minute, when another new signing, Magrao, took a free kick near the penalty box. Corinthians still had some more scoring opportunities in the second half, but the score stood unaltered until the end of the game. The team will face Argentina's Lanus or Velez in the next round, with the first leg on September 27.

Santos went to Belo Horizonte and beat Cruzeiro 4-3 on a penalty shootout, after a 1-0 loss in regulation resulted in a 1-1 aggregate score. With the 1-0 lead after the first leg, Santos opted to field several reserves, trying to rest some players for the Brazilian League. Cruzeiro, on the other hand, had its main players and the support from the crowd. That was not enough to open the score in the first half though, despite the locals constant pressure in attack. Cruzeiro was only able to open the score in the 51st minute, with Wagner taking advantage of a quick free kick taken near midfield. But the team was unable to score a second goal, and the match ended up being decided on a penalty shootout. Carlinhos missed his kick for Santos, but Gabriel and Edson lost their chances for Cruzeiro, as Santos advanced with a 4-3 win. In the next round the team will face San Lorenzo, from Argentina.

In Curitiba, Atletico Paranaense took advantage of the 3-1 advantage it had built last week to play with confidence in way to another win over Parana, this time by a 1-0 score. The lone goal of the game was scored by Denis Marques, in the 77th minute. The team will play against traditional Argentine side River Plate in the next round.

Botafogo and Fluminense make the last match involving Brazilian teams in the return leg of the Sudamericana today. Important midfielder Ze Roberto returns to the Botafogo lineup after missing a couple of games due to injury. Defensive midfielder Diguinho is still out and Ale will keep playing in that position. Coach Cuca hasn't determined whether to use a 4-4-2 (with midfielder Thiago) or the 3-5-2 (with defender Rafael Marques) he's used lately. Fluminense also has the return of an important player in midfield. Serbian Dejan Petkovic returns after missing four games. Forward Evando will return in place of Osmar, and left back Marcelo will again play in his natural position - instead of midfield, where he was used in the last two matches.

After a 1-1 draw in the first game, Fluminense can advance with a scoreless draw, since it played as the visitor team last week - despite both games being at the same venue, the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. Botafogo hasn't beaten Fluminense in nearly two years, or six games, winning the derby for the last time in October of 2004. Fluminense is currently on an eight-game winless streak, including both the Brazilian League and the Sudamericana. The winner will play Argentina's Gimnasia La Plata in the next round.