Sao Paulo reach Copa Libertadores quarterfinals-Xinhua

Sao Paulo reach Copa Libertadores quarterfinals

Source: Xinhua

Editor: huaxia

2024-08-23 10:33:17

SAO PAULO, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Damian Bobadilla and Jonathan Calleri scored either side of halftime as Sao Paulo advanced to the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals with a 2-0 home victory over Club Nacional on Thursday.

Bobadilla opened the scoring in the round of 16 second leg with an unstoppable left-footed drive into the top left corner from the edge of the 18-yard box.

Calleri doubled the advantage when he sent a bullet header into the far corner following Wellington Rato's cross from the right wing.

The result at Morumbi stadium gave Sao Paulo a 2-0 win on aggregate following a goalless draw in last week's first leg in the Uruguayan capital Montevideo.

Sao Paulo will meet Brazilian rivals Botafogo in the quarterfinals, to be played over two legs in September.

Sao Paulo forward Lucas Moura praised his teammates' composure, particularly as Nacional attacked relentlessly in the second half.

"I can't say it was easy," the former Tottenham player said. "They took the game up to us after the second goal but we were able to complete the job and we deserve our place in the last eight."