With two draws and a 2-0 away win, all Brazilian teams fared well in the round of 16 of the Libertadores Cup. Fluminense is the only Brazilian team so far with a comfortable lead heading into the second leg next week, while Sao Paulo will have to go above and beyond to advance after conceding an away goal. Atlético-MG did not score in the first leg and will be looking for a win in the return leg next week.
The encounter between Fluminense and Cerro Porteño was the most compelling of the three fixtures. Despite finding it tough to adjust quickly in the first half at the La Nueva Olla Stadium in Asunción, Paraguay, and the Paraguayan side having had a goal disallowed due to offside, Fluminense came out firing in the second half and scored two goals through Nenê and Egidio, with Caio Paulista assisting both goals.
Fluminense have proven to be a difficult opponent for the home teams in the Libertadores.
They have drawn one game (1-1 with Junior Barranquilla in Colombia) and won three: 2-1 against Santa Fe in Colombia, 3-1 against River Plate in Argentina, and 2-0 against Cerro Porteo in Paraguay.
Sao Paulo, on the other hand, got off to a good start and snatched the lead in the 35th minute thanks to substitute Vitor Bueno, who scored just seven minutes after coming on.
However, at the stroke of halftime, Enzo Copetti scored to square the Argentine club on aggregate, securing a crucial away goal going into the second leg.
Atlético-MG did not score a single goal in their game against Boca Juniors. They were the only Brazilian team that did not score, but both teams received six yellow cards during the game. The Brazilian team will have to battle it out in the second leg next week when they face the Argentine side, which might go in their favour or against them.
Cerro Porteo and Boca Juniors will be hosted by Fluminense and Atlético-MG, respectively, while Racing Club will host Sao Paulo in the second leg on Tuesday.
