Boca move a step closer to final
© AFP
Argentinian side Boca Juniors put themselves on the brink of their tenth Copa Libertadores final as they beat Universidad de Chile 2-0 at home in the first leg of their last-four tie.
The hosts opened the scoring after 15 minutes. Pablo Mouche sped down the right and found Santiago Silva, who controlled the ball in the box and beat keeper Jhonny Herrera with a low shot.
The Chileans reacted as Boca keeper Agustin Orion saved a free-kick from Marcelo Diaz and a long-range shot by Eugenio Mena went just wide.
Shortly after half-time, Herrera did well to keep out Silva's header and Albert Acevedo cleared Pablo Ledesma's shot. Mouche then fired over when through one on one.
In the 55th minute, a good combination between Juan Roman Riquelme and Silva set up Walter Erviti, whose left-foot shot was cleared by Herrera. Juan Sanchez Mino grabbed the rebound and pushed the ball into the net.
Riquelme said: "We have to be calm. We scored two goals but we will have hard work to do in Chileagainst a very good team."
Universidad defender Jose Rojas added: "We wanted to play as equals today but they were very effective. Anyway, we already showed that at home we can play our best football. In this sport nothing is impossible."
The second leg of the tie will be played next Thursday in Santiago with the winners facing either Corinthians or Santos.