Vasco da Gama defeated Boca Juniors 1-0 this Tuesday at La Bombonera in Buenos Aires in the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana semifinals. Adson scored the only goal with a header, and the Brazilian side will take a lead into the return leg in Rio de Janeiro.
According to La Tercera, the result ended Boca's 17-match unbeaten run across all competitions. Chileans Carlos Palacios and Williams Alarcón started for Rodolfo Arruabarrena's team, but delivered lackluster performances and were substituted in the second half.
Vasco set out to sit back and attack with direct play. In the 4th minute, Bruno Duarte forced goalkeeper Álvaro Montero into a good save. Palacios struggled to lead his team, which tried to stretch the play down the flanks.
The goal came in the 25th minute according to La Tercera (26th according to Radio ADN). Carlos Andrés Gómez capitalized on a poor clearance by Lautaro di Lollo, cut inside from the left and delivered an accurate cross. Adson got ahead of Facundo Herrera and headed into the net.
With the lead, Vasco allowed Boca possession. The home side's midfield failed to link up and resorted to long crosses into the penalty area. Early in the second half, Paulo Henrique nearly scored the visitors' second goal with a shot across goal.
Chilean referee Piero Maza was at the center of the controversy. Radio ADN places the incident in the 64th minute. Gómez, the Colombian midfielder, received a yellow card for preventing a free kick from being taken and shoved the referee seconds later. Maza showed him a second yellow card and sent him off. Radio ADN described the incident as a play that left doubts.
With a man advantage, Boca took off the two Chileans and brought on more attacking players. In the 72nd minute, Santiago Ascacibara rattled the crossbar. Lautaro Blanco tried twice from the left, and Miguel Merentiel was denied by goalkeeper Léo Jardim five minutes from the end.
There were seven minutes of stoppage time. In the final play, Enner Valencia found himself in front of goal in the six-yard box, but a center-back got to the ball first. La Tercera identifies José Luis Rodríguez as the defender who cleared the ball off the line.
The return leg will be played on Tuesday, October 20 in Rio de Janeiro. Radio ADN reported that it is still unclear whether Vasco will be able to play its home match at the Maracanã, because Flamengo and Fluminense are pressing for the stadium's use to be denied over problems with their own schedules.
