Semifinalists decided in Copa Libertadores

Two top Brazilian teams, one of the world’s best squads, and a surprise team out of Colombia make up the four semifinalists to South America’s top soccer club competition- the Copa Libertadores (Liberator’s Cup).

Sao Paulo-based team Santos continues its recant resurgence by coming behind to beat Mexico’s Club America on Wednesday. With Pele in the stands enjoying the match, Jonas and Rodrigo Souto scored in the second half to win the game and the series 2-1.

Santos will go on to meet southern Brazil's Gremio who took advantage of playing their quarterfinal second leg at home to overcome Paraguay’s Defensor Sporting via penalty shootout. Gremio’s kickers were perfect from the penalty spot and the boys from Porto Alegre won 4-2 in the shootout, and get to rub it in the noses of their closest rivals- reigning Copa Libertadores champions Internacional.

Colombia’s Cucuta Deportivo won their quarterfinal series 4-2 over Uruguay’s Nacional after tying them 2-2 in the second leg. Despite having played in the Colombia’s second division in 2005, Cucuta made it past the group stage as the 13^th seed and upset Mexico’s Toluca in the second round.

Cucuta’s Cinderella run faces its most difficult challenge after having to face legendary Argentine club Boca Juniors. Juan Roman Riquelme and Rodrigo Palacio gave “Los Xeneizes” a 2-0 win against home side Libertad of Paraguay. The Asuncion-based side was hoping for an upset after tying Boca in the first leg 1-1, but it's the five-time Libertadores champs from Buenos Aires move on.

Sources- Wikipedia, Fox Sports, International Herald Tribune, Reuters

Image- El Tiempo (Boca Juniors player Martin Palermo fights for a loose ball against Libertad’s goalie during Thursday night’s Copa Libertadores quarterfinal match)