San Lorenzo, who played with nine-men for much of the match, came from two goals behind to draw 2-2 with River Plate, a result that sent them through to the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores. While Santos also sealed their spot in the quarters with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Cucuta Deportivo in Colombia.
San Lorenzo, who came into the match with a 2-1 advantage after the first leg result, started the better of the two teams, and tried to catch River by surprise.
But Diego Simeone's side came more into the match as the half progressed, and should have gone ahead when Sebastian Abreu found the back of the net from close range. But the Uruguayans legitimate effort was ruled out for offside.
Two minutes later River went in front when a Matias Abelairas free kick fooled both the San Lorenzo defense and Agustin Orion as it crept in.
From then on both sides created good opportunities, with Andres D'Alessandro being San Lorenzo's main danger man, while Abreu was River's liveliest player.
The intensity of the match continued right throughout the half, as both sides played some very attractive football that was greatly appreciated by the strong 65,000 crowd. Diego Rivero's dismissal didn't seem to affect San Lorenzo.
After the break both sides tested each other, but San Lorenzo's chances of winning the tie decreased when Dario Bottinelli elbowed a River player inside of the box and was ejected in the process.
Abreu stepped up to the spot and made no mistake, firing the ball into the centre of the net. It was the strikers seventh goal of the competition.
Minutes later San Lorenzo could have pulled a goal back, but missed out on an opportunity when Juan Pablo Carrizo spilled a free kick.
In the 70th minute San Lorenzo were rewarded for their efforts, when Gonzalo Bergessio blasted the ball past Carrizo after a brilliantly worked attacking move.
Three minutes later Bergessio put San Lorenzo level when he met a corner kick with a sensational diving header.
River now needed two goals to advance and pushed everyone forward. In the 81st minute Mauro Rosales hit the left post from close range after a goal mouth scramble. Minutes later he saw a header flash wide.
San Lorenzo held on and will meet Liga de Quito of Ecuador in the quarterfinals. The first leg of the tie will be played in Buenos Aires next week.
(goal.com)
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