The first legs of the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals wrapped up this week, with River Plate, Racing, Vélez, and Estudiantes keeping their hopes alive for a place in the semifinals.
River Plate faced Palmeiras in São Paulo and endured a rough first half, going 2-0 down through goals by Gustavo Gómez and Vitor Roque. However, Lucas Martínez Quarta scored late to keep Marcelo Gallardo’s team in the fight. The match also featured Argentine players José Manuel López and Aníbal Moreno in Palmeiras’ lineup. River must win by one goal to take the series to penalties, or by two to qualify directly. Any draw or defeat will see them eliminated.
In the all-Argentine clash, Racing secured a valuable away win against Vélez at the José Amalfitani, thanks to a goal from Maravilla Martínez. The return leg will be played at the Cilindro, where Racing advances as long as they avoid defeat. Vélez, meanwhile, needs a one-goal win to force penalties or a two-goal margin to progress.
Estudiantes took on Flamengo at the Maracaná and looked in serious trouble after falling 2-0 down inside the first nine minutes. Guido Carrillo’s late strike, however, gave Eduardo Domínguez’s side a lifeline. At home in La Plata, Estudiantes must win by one to take the tie to penalties or by two or more to move into the semis.
With narrow margins across all four series, Argentine clubs still have everything to play for in the return legs. The coming week will determine how many of them make it through to the last four of South America’s biggest tournament.
