Brazil, the new England – Part 2

Yes, Brazil continues to be in the Copa Libertadores what England is in the Champions League. The quarter finals are almost defined – Boca Juniors and Defensor from Uruguay is the only battle that still has to be decided. And from the 8 clubs in the next stage, 4 of them are Brazilian. What makes it even more interesting is that the 4 Brazilian qualified are all previous champions of Copa Libertadores.

Besides Palmeiras, who qualified after the miracles of Sao Marcos, and Sao Paulo, who qualified because of the swine flu, Gremio and Cruzeiro reached the quarter finals after a smooth round of 16.

Gremio added yet another victory against unknown sides in this year’s edition of the continental competition. Universidad San Martin from Peru was not a big challenge for the imortal. After last week’s 3-1 victory, Gremio beat the side from Peru at home with goals by Jonas and Argentinean Herrera. Now, Gremio will take on another supposedly easy side: Caracas from Venezuela.

Cruzeiro received Universid from Chile (the amount of clubs with “Universidad” makes me feel this is a college competition) and won by the minimal difference, with a goal by Kleber, the gladiator. Cruzeiro, however, missed many chances of having a larger score. Now, Cruzeiro will take on Sao Paulo, what promises to be a thrilling Brazilian clash.

The quarter-final matches will be:

Gremio x Caracas
Sao Paulo x Cruzeiro
Estudiantes x Boca or Defensor
Nacional x Palmeiras

And this is how the next round look like in terms of countries:

Brazil 4 (Sao Paulo, Palmeiras, Cruzeiro, Gremio)
Venezuela 1 (Caracas)
Uruguay 1 (Nacional)
Argentina 1 (Estudiantes)

Argentina or Uruguay could add one more team, as Boca and Defensor still have a match next week in Buenos Aires.

Related posts:

1. Brazil, the new England
2. Copa Libertadores Schedule
3. Libertadores: No Goals, One Out, One In
4. Knock Out Stage Close for Sao Paulo and Cruzeiro in the Libertadores
5. 2010 Copa Libertadores Has Its Groups