Three Brazilian teams out, one left

Three of the four Brazilian teams which were still playing in the Copa Sudamericana have been eliminated in the round of 16 of the competition. Only one team, Atletico Paranaense, still has a chance to advance to the quarterfinals.

On Wednesday, Corinthians started the away game against Lanus well, with an early goal. By the end of the match, however, the team had lost by a 4-2 score. To make matters worse, midfielder Carlos Alberto and coach Emerson Leao exchanged insults on the pitch, making it clear that the atmosphere at the 2005 Brazilian champion dressing room is far from good. The team must now focus on trying to escape the relegation zone in the Brazilian Serie A, where it currently sits.

Fluminense also lost in Argentina, 2-0 to Gymnasia La Plata, and said farewell to the tournament. Finally, Santos was able to beat San Lorenzo 1-0 at the Vila Belmiro, but the result was not enough to revert a 3-0 beating in the first leg, two weeks ago in Argentina.

Atletico Paranaense, which beat River Plate 1-0 in Buenos Aires in the first leg, is home this Thursday for the second leg of the matchup. The Brazilian team only needs a draw to advance.