Copa Libertadores, Round of 16: Tijuana squanders chance vs. Palmeiras

By Kyle McCarthy

Club Tijuana managed to keep its unblemished home record in the Copa Libertadores intact with a 0-0 draw against Palmeiras on Tuesday night, but the Xolos squandered its invitation to take control of this round of 16 tie.

The home side kept its nerve for the most part and threatened occasionally after an indifferent start to the match. It did not, however, possess the sharpness required to make the best use of its advantage at Estadio Caliente.

The lack of investment in this side prior to this Libertadores campaign and the suspect form over the past few weeks told once again in the final third. Fidel Martinez lashed wide from a promising position at the top of the penalty area after 25 minutes to signal Tijuana’s improvement after a tentative opening period. Fernando Arce subsequently forced Bruno to tip his free kick over the bar, while Alfredo Moreno and Duvier Riascos both wasted good opportunities to open the scoring before the interval.

Apr

A full-scale brawl broke out at the end of the final Copa Libertadores group stage match between Gremio and Huachipato after Gremio manager Vanderlei Luxemburgo allegedly teased his counterpart Jorge Pellicier.

Following the spat, several Huachipato players attempted to chase down Luxemburgo, who then fell to the ground as chaos around him ensued. Players, coaches, ball boys, fans, you name it and they were involved before riot police eventually interfered.

So what did Luxemburgo say to spark such chaos? According to Reuters, Pellicier was quoted as saying: “He tried to make fun of us… That’s unsporting conduct. He said we should go on holiday, making a gesture with his hand.”

Luxemburgo kind of had a point, though it certainly was unsportsmanlike. With the two sides settling for a draw, Gremio advanced to the round of 16 while Huachipato missed out on goal difference.

PS: Anyone else find it hilarious that some of them seriously started to throw and kick soccer balls at the riot police? What’s that gonna accomplish?

Apr

The idea was literally seven years in the making, but it was certainly worth it…

When Nacional supporters decided in 2006 to produce and unfurl the what is probably the biggest tifo ever at a football match, uncertain glances were cast. During their game against Toluca in the Copa Libertadores last night however, the unimaginable finally happened.

The gigantic tifo is 600m in length and 54m in height, and it took more than 18 months to print. Canvassing most of the stadium, we hope that the Nacional fans didn’t miss their club’s 4-0 demolition of Toluca.

Video via @101greatgoals.

Mar

Fan violence reared its ugly head in Latin America once again as Palmeiras supporters attacked club players at an airport following the team’s 1-0 Copa Bridgestone Libertadores loss to Tigre.

Prass had to be treated for cuts to his head and ear, but no one was seriously hurt in the altercation before the team’s return to Brazil. Palmeiras said three fans were detained in Argentina but were later released.

”They threw a cup at Valdivia and it hit me,” Prass said through his Twitter account. ”I got three stitches in the head and a cut in my ear.”