It was not the night of MouthFirst, because he once again hit the same rock as in the vast majority of his last eliminations: he suffered an unnecessary expulsion, in this case after 30 seconds of play! Secondly, because he knew how to grow in the game to resist and stop at the moment that he usually enjoys, in the penalty shoot-out. And in that instance, his goalkeeper-specialist Sergio Romero this time not only did not save any shot but he did not even manage to guess where he was kicked.
The Xeneizes, who regretted not having qualified for the ultimate obsession called the Copa Libertadores, said goodbye very quickly to the Sudamericana, the second most important continental competition. They were the top candidates, but they left too quickly, in the round of 16. They could not beat Cruzeiro.
In Belo Horizonte, Boca had everything happen from the start of the match. After 30 seconds, they were left with one man less due to the expulsion of Luis Advíncula, who committed a harsh foul on Lucas Romero. And they were also immediately down on the scoreboard, because Cruzeiro struck quickly with a resolution by Matheus Henrique, who was alert to capture a rebound from Chiquito Romero after a good save. In this way, the Brazilians equalised the overall result, because Boca had won the first leg 1-0.
Cruzeiro players are delighted after qualifying
Diego Martínez reorganized the team. He took off Agustín Martegani and covered Advíncula’s absence with the entry of Jorge Figal. But Cruzeiro wanted more. And they searched. And they hurt. However, they also gave advantages at the back. Then, Kevin Zenón had the equalizer in front of the goalkeeper, but just at the moment of the shot the ball went up and his shot went very far.
After that situation that Boca could not take advantage of, Cruzeiro struck again. Marcos Rojo failed to clear a set piece and Walace made it 2-0 with a low shot. And the Brazilians were there to shout the third, but a fabulous scissor kick by Lautaro Díaz was deflected by Chiquito Romero just enough, so just that the ball then hit the post and went out.
Milton Giménez, Cavani’s replacement
Boca did not have Edinson Cavani, absent due to a torn muscle. And the Uruguayan’s replacement responded: Milton Giménez, in the third minute of added time in the first half, scored at the most opportune moment.
Boca’s second half was interesting. They showed conceptual, spiritual and physical strength. They had a couple of chances to tie the game, and they needed Sergio Romero and the goal posts to stay in the game. The end was dramatic. Chiquito made a great save and in the next play the ball was taken away from Merentiel on the line, stifling his hopes of qualification.
Read also
Cruzeiro won 2-1 and, as Boca had won the first leg 1-0, everything was decided by penalties. The Brazilians scored all five, with impeccable executions, deceiving Romero, who did not hit any of the areas chosen by the kickers. Boca had scored the first four, also with unstoppable resolutions. And in the last, the forward who had the ball cleared on the line, Merentiel, kicked over the crossbar. It was not his night. It was not Boca’s night.
