Copa Libertadores 2012, Wednesday Wrap: Boca Juniors, Vasco da Gama Win While Corinthians Draw

Boca Juniors and Vasco da Gama took the lead in their Copa Libertadores Round of 16 ties on Wednesday night, though both left the ties wide open. Union Española and Lanus both grabbed away goals in their one-goal losses, leaving things very much up in the air. In the other match on Wednesday, Corinthians grabbed an important away draw, but failed to score a goal.

Boca Juniors 2-1 Union Española

Juan Roman Riquelme netted the opener for Boca, netting in the 24th minute on a great give-and-go move with Dario Cvitanich in the 24th minute. Boca looked like the team on top for most of the rest of the first half and the beginning of the secon half, but Union Española found an equalizer on a great long ball attack. In the 72nd minute, Emanuel Herrera beat his man in the air and headed the ball directly into the path of Sebastian Jaime, who hit a vicious shot into the back of the net from just inside the box. Their joy was short lived, however, as Santiago Silva headed in a winner from a Pablo Mouche cross in the 89th minute.

Vasco da Gama 2-1 Lanus

Vasco da Gama took a 2-0 lead heading into halftime of their match, but eventually gave Lanus a way back into the tie. Alecsandro opened the scoring with a nice one-touch finish in the 24th minute, but he was topped by his teammate Diego Souza. In the 42nd minute, he popped the ball up in the air twice to beat two defenders, then snapped a volley into the back of the net from 12 yards. Lanus will have a chance to advance at home because of a 61st minute goal by Mario Regueiro, scored from close range after he took a lofted ball off his chest.

Emelec 0-0 Corinthians

The Brazilian giants will have liked to grab an away goal, but they'll be comfortable with a draw heading home. It's tough to believe that Emelec can pull off a win in Brazil, and they might have to go play for a 0-0 and penalties. The good news for them is that they won't have to deal with Jorge Henrique in the second leg. He picked up a red card in the 52nd minute and will be suspended.