Vitória was 4-1 over the Colombian team this Thursday (28), in São Paulo, in the sixth and final round of Group F
Palmeiras qualified for the round of 16 of the Copa Libertadores with a convincing 4-1 victory over Junior Barranquilla this Thursday (28), in São Paulo, in the sixth and final round of Group F. Even with the rout, the Verdão advanced to second place in the group by adding 11 points, against 13 from Cerro Porteñowho in a simultaneous game defeated Sporting Cristal, third place, 2-0 and who will compete in the playoff to reach the round of 16 of the Copa Sudamericana.
Jhon Arias scored twice (6′ and 45′)while Allan (40′) and Andrés Pereira (51′) completed the Palmeiras rout. Luis Muriel scored for Junior (36′).
Junior entered the field attacking and could have opened the scoring in the first minute, when Jesús Rivas missed a clear chance by shooting over the goal.
Palmeiras’ response was lethal.
After six minutes, Flaco López advanced from the left and crossed into the area for Jhon Arias, who finished first time to send the ball into the back of the net. With the advantage on the scoreboard, the São Paulo team slowed down while Junior tried, unsuccessfully, to create danger.
The Colombians managed to score in the 35th minute, when Jermein Peña received the ball on the right side of the attack and had time to raise his head to cross low into the middle, where Muriel beat Paraguayan defender Gustavo Gómez to equalize. The goal woke up Palmeiras and, mainly, Flaco López, who appeared on the Argentina squad list for the World Cup, released this Thursday.
In the 38th minute, the Argentine headed the post and, in the same play, after connecting with Arthur Gabriel, he dribbled past two defenders and before the ball was left for Allan, alone, to score Verdão’s second. Before the break, Flaco López shone once again, receiving the ball in the middle, entering the area on the left and assisting Arias to extend the advantage and practically end the victory.
The second half started with another scare, when the referee initially awarded a penalty in favor of Junior for a foul on Muriel, a decision that was later overturned after a VAR review. Palmeiras reacted again and almost reached the fourth goal thanks to moves by Arias and Flaco López, who hit the post. Shortly afterwards, Andreas Pereira hit a beautiful shot from outside the area to seal the victory.
