Santos are through to the next stage of the Libertadores; the quarter-finals. Pexie lost by a 1-0 score-line to LDU Quito on Tuesday night but still advanced to the quarter-finals having won the first leg at LDU’s home by a 2-1 score-line. The away goal rule applies in the Libertadores and was the saving grace for Santos to go through despite their loss.
Santos were better for most of the game but they failed to utilize their chances into real goal-scoring opportunities.
LDU had fewer chances but were more clinical in front of goal and could have even gone 2-0 up at some point. Santos can count themselves lucky not to have lost that game by more goals and hence their dream of silverware still remains alive.
There was late drama right at the very end of the second half. There was six minutes of added time to be played but the referee allowed the game play on into the eighth minute. At that point, Santos goalkeeper John was brought down in his own box by one of the LDU players. Lucas Verissimo was not pleased with that tackle and went to confront the player. The whole scenario then spread into chaos and the referee even had to watch the whole thing via the pitch side monitor. He eventually dismissed Aguirre and Villarruel in the LDU team and Luiz Felipe from the Santos side.
Santos will now take on the winner in the match-up between Grêmio and Guaraní who play their second leg clash on Thursday.
