Boca Juniors clinch Libertadores semi-fil spot

Buenos Aires, May 20: Argenti’s Boca Juniors progressed to the Copa Libertadores semi-fils with a thrilling 4-3 pelty shootout victory over ciol of Uruguay.

After a 1-1 draw in last week’s quarter-fil first leg in Montevideo, the visitors went ahead in the 21st minute at the Bombonera stadium via a Daniel Diaz own goal here on Thursday, reports Xinhua.

Cristian Pavon equalised in the 73rd minute, but jubilation turned to disbelief for the hosts when the striker was shown a second yellow card for excessively celebrating his goal. ciol failed to capitalise on their numerical advantage as 10-man Boca forced the match into pelties.

With the shootout tied at 3-3, ciol’s teege midfielder Felipe Carballo shot straight at goalkeeper Agustin Orion. Federico Carrizo then stepped up to coolly convert his spotkick and send the home side’s fans into a frenzy.

Boca are aiming to win the Copa Libertadores - Latin America’s premier club trophy - for a seventh time, a feat that would see them equal compatriots Independiente with the most titles. IANS