Peñarol secured an unbelievable victory in Rio de Janeiro last night, defeating hosts Flamengo in the first leg of their Copa Libertadores quarter final. The Maracanã stadium has seen Uruguay triumph before, but recent visits here haven't been so pleasant for travelling fans, especially against the might of Flamengo; who have won the Copa Libertadores twice in recent years.
This time, Flamengo brought their underwhelming recent form into the game and the visitors grabbed their big opportunity with both hands. Peñarol defended well and showed character on the ball, scoring a first-half goal on the counter attack that was worthy of winning any football match.
The five-time continental champions must now finish the job at home in Montevideo where they have enjoyed a fantastic record this season. Yet, if anybody can go to Uruguay and turn this tie around it is Flamengo, who have still got one of the most talented squads in South American football. The fact that they have to chase this tie makes for a wonderful second leg encounter.
Elsewhere, only one of the four quarter finals didn't feature a team from Brazil, and it was honours even in Santiago as Colo-Colo of Chile and River Plate of Argentina drew 1-1. The home side definitely had the best of the action but the result massively favours the men from Buenos Aires.
River Plate haven't lost in 10 games, but this week they travel across town to take on fierce rivals Boca Juniors. If they can come out of that relatively unscathed then Colo-Colo can expect to meet a magnificent force next week in the second leg, both on the pitch and from the stands of the Estadio Monumental.
Despite having 22 shots to six and double the expected goals tally of their visitors, high-flying Botafogo could not avail of their home advantage in the first leg of this Copa quarter final. It was a really frustrating night for the hosts, but a fantastic one for the away team who can now try and complete an upset with a victory in their home leg.
If Botafogo can apply as much pressure on their opponents next week then eventually they will get the breakthrough, but they are known as 'bottle jobs' in Brazil for a reason and perhaps it wouldn't be a great shock if they failed to fulfill their potential once again. They remain top of the league in Brazil though, and have a local derby against Fluminense to contend with this weekend. Both teams might be taking it a little easier in that one with the Copa playing in their minds.
A late winner at the Maracanã means hosts Fluminense have a 1-0 advantage to take on the road when they face Atlético Mineiro in the second leg of another all-Brazilian Copa Libertadores quarter final. Despite fighting relegation in the league, the side from Rio are on course to reach the semi finals of the Copa again, after winning their first ever continental title last season.
Atlético Mineiro have been outperforming their opponents in the league, and they sit six places above them in the table, but they too have underwhelmed this season. They have now lost two games in a row and wouldn't you just know it; their last home defeat came just over a month ago against Fluminense in the league. Perhaps for the first time all year Fluminense will feel like they are in the driving seat and on the path towards silverware, but there is a long way to go in this tie.