Club Tijuana say goodbye to the Copa Libertadores dream in dramatic fashion. With a missed penalty at the end of the game that would have put the young Mexican side in the semifinals. The game ended 1-1 and 3-3 in aggregate; Mineiro keep going thanks to the two away goals they achieved on the field of the Estadio Caliente. Tijuana needed the win or draw by more than three goals and could not get it.
Xolos got off to a quick start in the first half. Duvier Riascos had a left foot shot and forced a good save from the Mineiro goalkeeper after only 12 seconds. The Tijuana side eased off the pressure after only a few minutes and let the home side take control of the game.
The Xoloitzcuitles maintained themselves well organized in defense and didn't let Ronaldinho or any of his teammates create much danger.
Xolos always looked for counter attacks as their main weapon, and found one in the 25th on the right side of the field where Richard Ruiz sent in a cross the other side of the field. Riascos appeared there to hit the ball on the quick bounce and send it to the back of the net to give the Xoloitzcuitles the 0-1 lead; score that could see them through to the semifinals.
Atletico Mineiro continued their dominance in search for an equalizer; one that they would find in the 40th minute. After a cross in from a free kick Rever took advantage of the rather weak defending from the Xolos defenders and put in the equalizer. With the 1-1 on the score meant the Brazilians were in the semifinals.
Mineiro took a lot of confidence from that goal really pushed for the lead in the final five minutes of the first half. Club Tijuana were able to hang on to half time.
For the second half, Antonio Mohamed sent out his team in search of the victory. He sent in Fidel Martinez and took off young central defender Oliver Ortiz at half time.
Xolos tried to push forward for a goal that would allow them to continue the Libertadores dream, but Mineiro looked very dangerous on the counter attacks.
In the 57th Alfredo "Chango" Moreno had a great opportunity to give Xolos the lead after Richard Ruiz shook off the sliding tackle from the Brazilian defense and sent in a long cross to the second post. Moreno swung and missed in his attempt at a half volley.
In the 69th Xolos had the best chance of the game and didn't take advantage. Fidel Martinez led a 2 on 1 counter attack. Martinez gave the ball to second half substitute Bruno Piceno who was one on one with the goalkeeper and couldn't put the ball away.
Fidel Martinez came up just short in the 74th minute after a long corner kick. The ball was there to push in, but Martinez's legs were just inches too short to reach it.
Fernando Arce also came up close to scoring in the 80th minute. After a foul on Fidel Martinez just outside the box, Arce took the free kick and put the ball on the crossbar.
Just as the game was ending Pablo Aguilar who was now playing as another striker chased a long pass from Arce and was fouled inside the box to win a penalty kick. Riascos stepped up and hit the ball down the middle and the Mineiro goalkeeper with his foot ended up sending the ball away.
With that the game ended in a 1-1 draw and sent Atletico Mineiro to the semifinals of the Copa Libertadores and the Xolos to vacation.
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