Cruzeiro avenged their earlier defeat to Velez Sarsfield by thrashing the Argentines 3-0 at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte on Wednesday to move atop of Group 7 of the Copa Libertadores. The Brazilians proved much superior to their opponents, and had they made the most of their possession in the final minutes of the match they could have won by a greater difference.
The finalists of the ´09 edition of the tournament pushed to the attack straight from the kick off as they searched for an early goal, and they caused serious problems for the vulnerable Velez defence and in particular for goalkeeper German Montoya.
Velez, who beat Cruzeiro 2-0 when the sides met in Buenos Aires, couldn´t find their feet and were completely dominated by the pumped Brazilians.
After much pressure, Cruzeiro finally went ahead in the 33rd minute when Thiago Ribeiro, who had been the best player on the field thus far, dashed outside of the area and beat Montoya with an unstoppable drive.
Towards the end of the half Cruzeiro midfielder Gilberto looked to have been impeded on the edge of the area, however, instead he was booked for diving.
Three minutes into the second half Kleber doubled Cruzeiro´s lead when he poked a right-wing Thiago Ribeiro cross into the back of the net.
Then seven minutes later Kleber met a precise Thiago Ribeiro through ball down the centre of the field and beat Montoya with another good finish.
When Leandro Somoza reduced Velez to ten-men in the final seven minutes, the helpless Argentines tried to push the ball around as to not concede another goal.
The more than 50,000 fans at the Mineirao stadium erupted at the final whistle, and if the three goals weren´t already enough were treated to a fireworks display as well.
Wednesday´s other matches
In Porto Alegre, Internacional needed two second half goals to overcome Uruguay´s Cerro 2-0. It was a very even contest, but an unfortunate own goal from Walter Ibanez in the 58th minute opened the way for Inter. Alecsandro added Inter´s second goal in the 71st minute. With the win Internacional climbed to the top of Group 5.
Another Brazilian side, Sao Paulo, fought out a goalless draw with Monterrey in Mexico, a result that almost secures Sao Paulo of a place in the round of 16 stage, but practically eliminates the Mexican champions.
A strike from Maximiliano Laso in the 93rd minute rescued Banfield of a crucial point on their visit to Morelia of Mexico. Veteran forward Jared Borgetti had put Morelia ahead in the 77th minute, but the Mexicans failed to hold on to what would have been only their second win of the competition.
Gregory Sica
Loading ...
Cruzeiro was sublime beating a good Velez team by such a huge margin I think the winner of the comp will be between Cruzeiro and Flamengo.
Let`s see what happens with Corinthains and ROnaldo Roberto Carlos Edu DeFederico Thceco tonight
Who else I saw Banfield lukcy draw and Inter is ok, pretty ordinary actually
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
If Colo Colo wasn`t so far down we would be there but mismanagement and the crisis has killed us
Like or Dislike:
2 
0
The Brazilians r too good may I say
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
4 
0