Snak

Never in doubt - Azul set up America showdown.

It took less than ten minutes for the closing match of the Liga MX semi-final between Santos Laguna and Cruz Azul to go from an exercise in near-futility to a total farce.

Before the match even kicked off, Cruz Azul boasted not only a three-goal lead, but a lead of three away goals, thus requiring Santos Laguna to score four in the second-leg without conceding.

That was a lot to ask and soon, a difficult task became close to impossible when a mistake off a defensive clearance practically gifted Los Cementeros the opening goal. Rodolfo Salinas tried steer the ball clear of the Santos area only to instead flick it perfectly to Javier "Chuletita" Orozco, who didn’t waste the opportunity, firing a hard shot past the helpless Oswaldo Sanchez.

At that point, it was all over except for the final whistle. The competitive gusto of the game disappeared quicker than air escaping from a popped balloon. A second goal by Orozco in the 25th minute only added to Santos´ humiliation. The club didn´t leave the field completely empty-handed, though, as an excellent pass by Felipe Baloy found Andres Renteria near the end of the first half.

Still, with the overall score at 5-1, the players already knew that Cruz Azul had booked a place in the final against America. Surprisingly for a result that was blatantly obvious in the early stages, players on both sides lost their composure in the second half.

Three players were expelled from the match. Darwin Quintero scored a goal for Santos, but used his hand to do it. Baloy was carded out of the game for two cautions, as was Alejandro Vela of Cruz Azul.

Truth be told, the outcome was what many who weren´t Santos Laguna fans had hoped for - a final between two clubs steeped in history who were both in top form. Both clubs had played well throughout the season, not only towards the end of the Clausura season, but into the playoffs, often dominating their opponents.

Cruz Azul and Club America share eighteen league titles between them, so both have established a winning tradition. While Club America boasts a top scoring dynamo in Christian "Chucho" Benitez, the attack of Cruz Azul is probably more well-balanced, since the bulk of the scoring is shared by Orozco, Mariano Pavone and Teofilo Gutierrez.

The Cruz Azul fans celebrating in the stands during the first half, as well as the announcers calling the match, were already looking ahead to the championship clash against Club America. Bets and wagers were being placed among friends and family, and even those who weren´t putting anything valuable on the line were probably curious about the answers to a few key questions for the final.

Which team has the advantage when the irresistible force that is striker Benitez meets the immovable object of goalkeeper Jesus Corona?

Is Pavone back to full strength after the injury he suffered earlier in the liguilla?

Whose players will prevail if the championship is decided via the penalty spot?

Can Cruz Azul duplicate what they did on the way to their Copa MX victory - clipping the wings of Club America?

Will it be title number nine, or number eleven that is claimed by the winning club?

The countdown to the championship has begun - well, it really started while the ball was still in play during Cruz Azul versus Santos.

Colombia Primera A Wrap: Tolima strike late to go top

Deportes Tolima have leapfrogged Santa Fe into first position in Colombia´s Primera A with a 2-1 win over Alianza Petrolera.

Charles Monsalvo scored a second-half brace for Tolima as they came from behind against lowly Alianza, moving above Santa Fe on the league table after the previous leaders were held to a 1-1 draw by Deportivo Pasto.

Atletico Nacional also took advantage of Santa Fe´s draw, overcoming Boyaca Chico 3-2 to move within a point of the top-two clubs in the Primera A.

Alianza hit the front with almost the final kick of the first half on Saturday at Tolima´s Estadio Manuel Murillo Toro when Luis Carabali smashed home the rebound, following a save from the hosts´ goalkeeper Antony Silva.

Tolima drew level in the 57th minute with Monsalvo tapping the ball home after David Silva´s long-range effort had cannoned off the post.

The home side clinched victory with five minutes remaining after Oscar Rodas was brought down in the penalty area and Monsalvo made no mistake from the spot.

http://www.youtube.com/w…3lSQYqnsz1E

The win took Tolima to 29 points and plus 10 goal difference, just ahead of Santa Fe (29 points, plus six), while Atletico Nacional (28, plus six) sit third.

Santa Fe led at half-time away to Pasto thanks to a goal from Danilo Moreno but were denied three points when Fausto Obeso equalised for the hosts just after the hour mark.

http://www.youtube.com/w…6TwnnLAHEq8

At Boyaca Chico´s Estadio de La Independencia, Atletico Nacional trailed 2-1 with 15 minutes remaining but goals to Jefferson Duque (76th minute) and Wilder Guisao (84th) gave the visitors the win.

http://www.youtube.com/w…gg&index=19

Deportes Quindio moved off the bottom of the standings in Colombia´s top tier of football with a 1-0 win away to Envigado, while Itagui defeated Once Caldas 2-1 and Cucuta Deportivo drew 1-1 with Atletico Huila.

http://www.youtube.com/w…cHvHNKxrDgg

http://www.youtube.com/w…Dgg&index=4

http://www.youtube.com/w…cHvHNKxrDgg

In other Primera A results over the weekend, La Equidad were held to a 1-1 draw by Deportivo Cali, Millonarios cruised to a 3-0 triumph over Junior and Medellin knocked off Patriotas Boyaca 2-1.

http://www.youtube.com/w…cHvHNKxrDgg

http://www.youtube.com/w…DuIffMTpYn4

http://www.youtube.com/w…cHvHNKxrDgg

Chile Primera Division Wrap: Top two win again

Union Espanola and Universidad Catolica maintained their four-point buffer atop the Chile Primera Division with victories.

Gustavo Canales and Jorge Ampuero scored for Union Espanola in their come-from-behind 2-1 win at Palestino.

They stayed top on goal difference as Universidad Catolica easily beat Universidad Chile 3-0 in their clash.

When Sergio Lopez scrambled in the opener for Palestino in the 24th minute, they were on track for an upset win over the league leaders.

Canales´ equaliser on 68 minutes was a messy goal as he poked home before Ampuero scored the winner five minutes later.

Universidad Catolica were far more comfortable as Michael Rios, Ismael Sosa and Hans Martinez netted in their win.

Both the victors and Universidad Chile finished with 10 men after Alfonso Parot and Juan Duma were sent off.

Cobreloa moved into third as a Francisco Pizarro brace saw them to a 2-1 win over Union La Calera.

O´Higgins were beaten 2-1 by Deportes Iquique, while sixth-placed Everton were 3-1 winners at Audax Italiano.

Javier Elizondo struck twice to guide Antofagasta to a 3-1 win at home to San Marcos, Colo Colo returned to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over lowly Cobresal and the Santiago Wanderers were too good for Nublense in a 3-1 win.

Rangers thrashed Huachipato 5-2 to move into ninth.

http://www.cdf.cl/videos/

Peru Primera Division Wrap: Sporting Cristal shine on top

Sporting Cristal moved two points clear atop the Peru Primera Division with a 3-0 win over Universidad San Martin on Saturday.

Roberto Mosquera´s men capitalised on Real Garcilaso´s draw with the comfortable victory against the league´s bottom side.

Both teams hit the crossbar in the first half and the visiting Sporting Cristal wasted several other chances.

They finally opened the scoring three minutes into the second half when Hernan Rengifo tapped in the opener.

Sporting were fortunate to double their advantage as Universidad San Martin defender Anthony Molina diverted a cross past his own goalkeeper.

William Chiroque sealed the result two minutes from full-time, drilling a 20-yard effort into the top corner.

http://www.youtube.com/w…DFgZKoS1dIE

Real Garcilaso, who have played two fewer games than the league leaders, came from behind to grab a point at Sport Huancayo as Victor Ferreira´s goal earned them a 1-1 draw.

https://www.youtube.com/…iQq4qGK39r4

A Diego Guastavino goal saw Universitario to a 1-0 win at Cesar Vallejo, while Alianza Lima beat UTC Cajamarca 1-0.

https://www.youtube.com/…lg1pImH_qi0

https://www.youtube.com/…HCBbT8yHvXc

Jose Galvez thrashed lowly Union Comercio 4-1 with Jersson Vasquez netting a pair of penalties.

http://www.youtube.com/w…VP87g5DxFuk

There were three 0-0 draws – Leon de Huanuco held Inti Gas, Cienciano and Melgar were unable to be separated and Juan Aurich and Pacifico also finished goalless.

Costa Rica Primera Division: Cartagines v Herediano

Cartagines recorded a controversial come-from-behind 3-1 win over Herediano in the first leg of the Costa Rica Primera Division final.

Carlos Johnson, Mauricio Castillo and Randall Brenes were on the scoresheet after Victor Nunez had given the visitors the lead at Estadio Jose Rafael Fello Meza on Sunday.

It puts Cartagines in prime position to claim their fourth league title and first since 1940 ahead of the second leg on Saturday.

But it was Herediano who made the better start, grabbing a 25th-minute lead when Nunez headed in.

Johnson scrambled in the leveller for the hosts eight minutes into the second half, and it was awarded despite there being a hint of offside.

The home fans were sent into raptures just two minutes later as Castillo struck, side-footing in a well-executed set-piece.

Brenes added a controversial third on 63 minutes – tapping in from close range – as Cartagines again scored from what appeared to be an offside position.

https://www.youtube.com/…8h3DBq8Atuk

Ecuador Primera A Wrap: Nahuelpan class buoys Barcelona

Emelec suffered just their second loss of the Ecuador Serie A season, beaten 2-0 by Barcelona on Saturday.

Ariel Nahuelpan struck a brace at Estadio Monumental Isidro Romero Carbo as Barcelona stayed sixth with the win.

Emelec, who are three points clear at the top despite the loss, have two games in hand over their nearest rivals.

Nahuelpan headed in the opener from a set piece four minutes into the second half to put Barcelona ahead.

The Argentine striker used his height and strength for his second goal three minutes later, heading in at the back post after a neat team move.

https://www.youtube.com/…8_3EixBbBtA

Deportivo Quito were unable to capitalise on Emelec´s slip-up, held to a 0-0 draw at home to bottom side Macara.

LDU Quito remain third after drawing 1-1 at Manta, while Universidad Catolica were beaten 1-0 by Independiente.

https://www.youtube.com/…hXpcy983QYk

https://www.youtube.com/…9tqiYHHvikw

Andres Rios scored a brace to lead seventh-placed Deportivo Cuenca to a 3-1 victory at LDU Loja, who stay in 11th.

https://www.youtube.com/…v3vGpTnq_7U

El Nacional and Deportivo Quevedo played out a 1-1 draw.

https://www.youtube.com/…bPRWUxQ_YQE

Paraguay Division Profesional Wrap: Melgarejo on a winner

Nacional Asuncion have maintained their 14-point lead at the top of Paraguay´s Division Profesional with a 1-0 win away to Libertad.

Marcos Melgarejo scored the only goal of the game for Nacional, while Guarani took advantage of Libertad´s defeat to move to second on the table with a 3-2 victory away to Olimpia.

In the weekend´s top-of-the-table clash, Libertad hosted Nacional hoping to cut down the visitors´ leading margin.

But Nacional claimed their sixth-successive victory when Melgarejo struck in the 70th minute, taking the 26-year-old midfielder to equal fifth on the goal-scorers´ standings this season, six behind teammate Julian Benitez, who leads the Division Profesional with 12 goals.

https://www.youtube.com/…CPz4tVYugHI

Guarani replaced Libertad in second position as they triumphed in a goal-fest at Olimpia´s Estadio Defensores del Chaco.

Juan Ferreyra equalised twice for Olimpia as goals flew in for both teams before Rodrigo Teixeira wrapped up victory for Guarani with a 77th-minute strike.

The win took Guarani to 23 points and plus seven goal difference, just ahead of Libertad (23 points, plus six) and Cerro Porteno (23, plus five), while Nacional (37, plus 18) are well ahead in the Paraguayan league standings.

Cerro Porteno defeated local rivals Cerro Porteno PF 3-1, while in other Division Profesional results, Rubio Nu triumphed 4-3 away to Deportivo Capiata, Sportivo Luqueno drew 0-0 with General Diaz and Deportivo Carapegua were held to a 1-1 draw by Sol de America.

https://www.youtube.com/…7O541RAZUss

https://www.youtube.com/…UiM_8pTkd1I

Grêmio abre semana sob pressão em dia de reunião decisiva para Luxa

Encontro nesta segunda-feira entre comissão técnica e o presidente Fábio Koff deve definir o futuro do treinador no Grêmio

Os dias que sucederam a queda do Grêmio para o Santa Fé, nas oitavas de final da Libertadores, foram de folga, poucas palavras e muito mistério. Luxemburgo, suspenso pela Conmebol, não deu entrevistas. Dirigentes não cogitam abertamente a demissão do técnico, tampouco garantem a sua permanência à frente do clube para a disputa do Brasileirão, que começa no domingo, contra o Náutico, às 16h. A única certeza é a segunda-feira será de pressão. Uma reunião entre comissão técnica, o diretor executivo Rui Costa e o presidente do clube, Fábio Koff, deve defnir o futuro de Luxa.

Ninguém nega a existência do encontro. Na pauta, será analisado o fraco desempenho da equipe durante toda a temporada e, principalmente, os motivos que insucesso na Colômbia. Em 2013, o Grêmio não chegou à final do Gauchão e caiu de forma precoce na Libertadores. Desde de fevereiro de 2012, quando foi contratado, Luxemburgo soma sete eliminações no Grêmio.

- Segunda vamos conversar com a comissão técnico e com o presidente para que possamos identificar coisas que podemos melhorar. Avaliar é uma obrigação nossa, uma obrigação minha. Quando não vencemos, temos que avaliar. Mas a minha avaliação sobre o trabalho da comissão técnica vai ser dada ao presidente Koff - afirmou Rui Costa.

O dirigente ainda afirmou neste domingo que as pressões para a saída do técnico não partem de membros do clube, o que pode indicar uma ideia de permanência do treinador.

- Isso (demissão de Luxemburgo) é uma especulação que não teve origem no clube. É algo que surgiu na imprensa, o que é normal depois de uma desclassificação. Nunca se ouviu algum dirigente do Grêmio falando sobre isso, nunca partiu daqui. Em nenhum momento se ouviu que o trabalho do técnico estava em avaliação. É claro que todo o trabalho está em avaliação constante. Temos reuniões semanais, inclusive com a presença do Vanderlei, para avaliar elenco e desempenho. É claro que a eliminação nos impõe uma avaliação mais ampla - afirmou em entrevista à Rádio Gaúcha.

Depois da queda na Libertadores, o presidente Fábio Koff não garantiu a permanência do técnico. Deixou claro, porém, que tomará medidas depois da reapresentação do grupo, nesta segunda-feira.

- É uma análise para ser feita com muito cuidado. Estamos emocionalmente abalados hoje. É preciso ter cautela em razão do resultado negativo de ontem. Vou aguardar o retorno e examinar com o departamento de futebol. Agora é um momento inadequado. Ele tem dois anos de contrato. Vamos ver - disse.

A reunião deve ocorrer antes da reapresentação dos jogadores e do treino, que está marcado para as 16h. Ainda nesta segunda, Luxemburgo deve conceder a sua primeira entrevista depois da eliminação. Resta saber se a manifestação ocorrerá com ele ainda como treinador do Grêmio ou já em tom de despedida.

Porto goalkeeper Hélton rules out return to Vasco

FC Porto´s experienced goalkeeper Hélton has ruled out any chance of returning to Vasco before his current contract expires.

Vasco have expressed interesting for Hélton in the past, as the Rio de Janeiro-based club need an experienced replacement for Fernando Prass, who has joined Palmeiras.

Hélton is part of the Porto´s squad that won the Portuguese league on the weekend, after beating Paços de Ferreira 2-0.

He told reporters after the game: "I am very thankful for Vasco´s interest as they have sent many messages so far."

"I love the fans of Vasco, but I have learned to love Porto as well."

Hélton also expressed his happiness for winning the Portuguese league title, he said: "I am very happy for the confidence they have always had in me, not just from the current manager but also from everyone else that have worked for the club."

Neymar: Paulista defeat was not my last game for Santos

Santos forward Neymar has insisted Sunday´s Campeonato Paulista final defeat to Corinthians will not be his last game for the club.

The 21-year-old has long been linked with a summer move to Barcelona and the two clubs are reported to have started negotiations at the end of last week.

However, Neymar has reiterated his desire to see out his current contract with the Peixe and is adamant that the 1-1 draw at the Vila Belmiro was not his last appearance.

He told Globo Esporte: "I´m happy here. I have already told you. Unless I die this game [against Corinthians on Sunday] is not my last game.

"If people are saying other things, then they know more than I do. Many people say what they want without knowing anything. But this is how things are."

The Brazil international’s agent and father stressed last week that Neymar will stay with Santos until they are informed by the club that they are willing to sell him.

Neymar is expected to travel to Catalunya after next month´s Confederations Cup for discussions with Barcelona.