Brazilian league champions Cruzeiro marched into the quarter finals of the Copa Libertadores after beating Paraguayan side Cerra Porteno 2-0 on the night and 3-1 on aggregate in a thrilling second leg encounter in Ascuncion last night.
All of the action came in the final stretches of this match, with the game remaining goalless and largely uneventful until a 78th minute second bookable offence for Cruzeiro centre back Bruno Rodrigo.
With Cerra given fresh hope upon receipt of the red card, Cruzeiro’s instant response of a goal through left back Dede set up a frantic final ten minutes.
Indeed, the Paraguayan outfit lost their own cool, picking up two sendings off for Crujo and former Spain striker Dani Guiza, and it was left to striker Dagoberto to wrap up the win on the night in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
Cruzeiro thus become the only Brazilian side left in the competiton and will face the conquerors of Gremio in the last eight, with the ties to be played in the next two weeks.
Cruzeiro attentions now turn to the Brasileirao, with an away fixture on Saturday against Atleico Paranaense to come.
