Vasco Hit Eight to Progress in Sul-Americana; Fla, São Paulo and Botafogo All Eliminated

It wasn't a great week for Brazilian clubs in the Copa Sul-Americana; Flamengo, Botafogo and São Paulo were all eliminated, with barely a whimper of protest between them. Vasco, however, kept the flag flying in emphatic style...

Copa Sul-Americana Round-up
Vasco da Game welcomed Aurora to the São Januário, hoping to overturn a two-goal deficit from the first leg. They achieved that feat in the first half, flying into a 3-1 lead thanks to stunning Bernardo goal and a brace from Alecsandro. Things were looking good for the Gigante da Colina, but they about were to get a whole lot better. Vasco were nigh-on unplayable in the second period, adding five more goals (and conceded another couple), to record an 8-3 victory. Vasco will play Peruvian side Universitario in the quarter finals.

Dog day afternoon: surely the best reason for a game to be delayed.

The garra showed by Vasco was simply not matched by the remaining Brazilian sides, who were all soundly beaten. Emerson Leão's reign at São Paulo got off to a disappointing start, as the Tricolor lost 2-0 to Libertad. Luís Fabiano, who (re)opened his account for the club in last week's first leg, turned villain in Asunción, giving away a first half penalty with wild hack. Botafogo had an even tougher evening, getting thrashed by Santa Fé. Not even the sight of a canine pitch invader (who managed to evade capture for a good few minutes) was enough to raise Brazilian smiles in Colombia. Flamengo also ended their campaign without much of a fight, losing 1-0 to Universitario.

Copa Sul-Americana results: Vasco 8-3 Aurora (9-6 on aggregate), Libertad 2-0 São Paulo (2-1 on aggregate), Santa Fé 4-1 Botafogo (5-2 on aggregate), Universitario 1-0 Flamengo (5-0 on aggregate).

(Photo credit: Leonardo Muñoz.)