Santos have reached the final of the 2011 Copa Libertadores after an enthralling 3-3 draw at Paraguayuan club Cerro Porteno. Already leading 1-0 from the first leg played at home, Santos took an early lead through striker Ze Eduardo off a free kick. With Porteno goalie Diego Barreto conceding an unfortunate own goal shortly after, Santos were leading 2-0 on the night, 3-0 on aggregate and with two precious away goals. At that point Porteno needed to score four goals to win the tie, having lost the advantage on away goals.
They manfully set about their task with defender Cesar Benitez pulling one back just after the half hour mark, nodding one in from a corner. Early substitute Juan Iturbe supplied the corner. However, just before half time, much heralded Santos starlet, Neymar, scored a third goal to practically seal a place in the final. Santos now led 3-1 on the night.
The hosts then clawed a second goal back from another early substitute, Juan Lucero , who scored from a set piece. A flurry of fouls and substitutions threatened to subdue proceedings, but with less then 10 minutes of regulation time left, Jonathan Fabbro drew Porteno level with a a good strike from outside the top of the box.
Santos soaked up the pressure and almost threatened a winner when Neymar crashed a shot off the crossbar. Defender Edu Dracena got sent off in injury time for a second yellow card and will miss one of the legs of the final but Santos held on to progress 4-3 on aggregate.
Mauricy Ramalho's side kept Keirrison on the bench and were without Ganso. Elano and Neymar both started and the former was replaced by Rodrigo Possebon. Despite conceding more shots on goal, Santos were generally in control. However they were indebted to a stellar match from goalkeeper Rafael who made seven saves in the game.
Cerro Porteno were unlucky to lose but having been shut out of the first leg and conceded two early away goals, were always up against it, needing to win by two clear goals to go through. Youngsters Juan Iturbe and Ivan Torres, whom the former, ironically, came on for, have shown themselves to be excellent players this campaign and have played a big part in getting Porteno this far. Both players have built on their impressive showings at the 2011 South American U-20 Championships.
Santos are peaking at just the right time in South America and will not mind conceding some early ground to their rivals in the domestic league. Elano has bedded in famously with the youngsters Keirrison and Possebon while Edu Dracena and Rafael are solid at the back.
They meet the winner of the Velez Sarsfield - Penarol match in the other semi final.
Ganso should return in time for the final. Irrespective of the transfer speculation affecting both him and Neymar, both should play a part in Santos' quest for the Libertadores title.
Watch this space...
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