Riquelme Returns to Argentina National Team for Copa America

After retiring from international football last year, Juan Roman Riquelme has joined the Argentina national side for Copa America 2007.

AP - International Herald Tribune


Argentina Copa America T-Shirts

Copa Libertadores Second Leg - Fan Violence Concerns

Authorities are concerned there may be fan violence at the Copa Libertadores Finals second leg in Porto Alegre Wednesday night.

Authorities wary of fan violence at final - AP - FoxSoccer.com

Copa Libertadores 2007 Finals - US TV Schedule Second Leg

From SoccerTV.com:

Wed Jun 20
05:30PM Pacific
06:30PM Mountain
07:30PM Central
08:30PM Eastern
LIVE
FOX Sports en Espanol - US
Copa Libertadores - Final - Vuelta
Gremio vs Boca Juniors

Copa Libertadores 2007 Finals - Yellow and Purple Nike Match Ball

Copa Libertadores 2007 Match Replica Footballs

Nike Total 90 Aero II Hi-Vis Soccer Ball - $129.99 US
Nike T90 Spectra Hi-Vis Soccer Ball - $24.99 US
Nike T90 Skills Hi-Vis Soccer Ball - $9.99 US

View all three here:
Copa Libertadores 2007 Match Replica Footballs

Boca Juniors Win 3-0, Copa Libertadores Finals First Leg

Boca Juniors have one hand on the Copa Libertadores trophy as they blanked 10-man Gremio 3-0 in the first leg at La Bombonera.

And just like the semifinals, it was a Juan Roman Riquelme free kick that got things started. The playmaker's cross found Martin Palermo open on the back post. Palermo crossed to an open Rodrigo Palacio and it was 1-0 in the 18th.

Replays did show the goal offside, but the goal stood.

There would however, be no arguing Boca's dominance, particularly in the second half.

It was all Boca, and became more so when Goiano was sent off for a reckless high boot.

After a series of gilt-edged chances for Palacio, one cleared off the line, Riquelme finally made Boca's advantage pay in the 73rd and neatly fired a free-kick near post after the wall had moved.

In the 89th, only seconds after Gremio had just missed one of their few chances, Riquelme dribbled through a handful of defenders and fired a rocket that was parried to the corner, but not out.

The ensuing high cross into the box was headed by Ledesma high towards goal. Two Gremio defenders were unable to clear it off the line and the ball dropped in off Patricio for an own goal.

Boca will takes its 3-0 lead to Porto Alegre knowing their 6th Copa Libertadores title is there for the taking.


The above article was corrected. The original text stated the away goals rule was in effect, but the away goals rule does not apply in the Copa Libertadores Finals.
Tim Vickery column - BBC

Boca Juniors Merchandise

Around the web:

Copa Libertadores finals: Boca Juniors beats Gremio 3-0
International Herald Tribune
- Jun 14, 2007
AP BUENOS AIRES, Argentina: Rodrigo Palacio, Pablo Ledesma and Juan Roman Riquelme scored as Boca Juniors pounded Brazil's Gremio 3-0 for the early lead in ..



Libertadores Cup Boca Juniors: A Look Inside The Libertadores Cup ...
Goal.com
- Jun 12, 2007
Boca Juniors: A Look Inside The Libertadores Cup Finalist After examining the (with all due respects) lesser known Grêmio, Goal.com provides readers with a ...


Match Report SI.com

Wikipedia - Gremio
Wikipedia - Boca Juniors

Copa Libertadores 2007 TV Times US

From SoccerTV.com:

Wed Jun 13 05:30PM Pacific
Wed Jun 13 06:30PM Mountain
Wed Jun 13 07:30PM Central
Wed Jun 13 08:30PM Eastern
Length: 2 hr 30 min LIVE
FOX Sports en Espanol - US
Copa Libertadores - Final - Ida
Boca Juniors (Argentina) vs Gremio (Brazil/Brasil)

Copa Libertadores 2007 Finals - Dates and Times

FINALS:
137 13.06.07
21.45 Buenos Aires Boca Juniors - Grêmio
138 20.06.07
21.45 Porto Alegre Gremio - Boca Juniors

CONMEBOL Schedule

Riquelme Leads Boca To Copa Libertadores Finals

Juan Roman Riquelme was in stunning form Thursday night as he led Boca Juniors to a 3-0 victory over Colombia's Cucuta. The victory sends Boca to the Copa Libertadores Finals with a 4-3 aggregate win.

Boca trailed 3-1 going into the night and as expected immediately took the play to the visitors.

And early on, it looked as though Boca would be rewarded as they dominated, but Cucuta keeper Robinson Zapata kept the visitor's hopes alive, making numerous acrobatic saves, including a point-blank shot from Rodrigo Palacio.

In the 7th minute, Zapata even made two world-class saves on one play. The first, a stunning kick save on a Riquelme header. The second, a wonderful block of a Palacio header from just inches away.

But Zapata would finally prove human in the 44th minute, and it would be Riquelme who would be his undoing.

Boca earned a free kick just outside the area and La Bombonera was rocking as the home crowd seem to smell blood with their returning hero standing over the dead ball.

The former Argentine international didn't disappoint, curling an absolutely brilliant strike over the wall into the top corner for the 1-0 lead.

A crushing blow for a Colombian side that was just seconds from going into the break even.

And after the interval, Boca went right back to work, almost scoring within seconds of the restart as Hugo Ibarra fired a rocket that was deflected wide.

The reprieve for Cucuta was short-lived and nine minutes into the second half, Boca finally had the scoreline they needed to advance when Martin Palermo bundled a wild deflection across the line.

But what was a thrilling match, again, suddenly ground to halt.

Previously, there had been a five minute stoppage, as the fog that had enveloped the pitch for most of the evening completely took over.

Now, a second interruption, one far more bothersome, as keeper Zapata was hit with projectiles from the stands for the second time on the night. Pleas from Boca players to supporters did seem to put an end to the barrage.

The breaks however, seemed to do little to dampen the Boca enthusiasm and the Argentine side's domination continued as they looked to kill off the tie.

And with only a minute plus stoppage remaining, it was Riquelme who would again provide the drama.

The hometown favorite stepped up to take a corner, and like a scene out of a movie, with flashbulbs popping, the Boca talisman rifled a deadly cross into the box that substitute Sebastian Battaglia headed into the far corner passed a diving Zapata.

Battaglia, also in his second stint at Boca, raced dramatically to Riquelme and the two slid into an embrace before being mobbed by their teammates as La Bombonera shook.

A whopping ten minutes of added time saw Cucuta press for the equalizer that would never come.

But even stoppage time was not without drama as a late penalty claim went unheeded as it appeared Boca keeper Mauricio Caranta was first to a loose ball before bringing down Leonard Pajoy in the box.

At the final whistle, Boca looked anything but the jaded favorites they might justifiably be.

Rather, Boca players celebrated wildly with Riquelme appropriately in the center of the jubilation.

For unfancied Cucuta, a tournament well-played and respect.

For Boca Juniors, another date with destiny in the Copa Libertadores Finals.


On the web:
Boca Juniors reaches Copa Lib final - AP - FoxSoccer.com

Copa Libertadores - Favorites Santos and Boca Juniors Need Big Results

In the Copa Libertadores semifinals second leg matches, Brazil's Santos will need at least two goals against Gremio, trailing 0-2.

While Boca Juniors also need two but have an away goal, trailing Colombia's Cucuta Deportivo 3-1.

135 06.06.07
21.45 Santos Santos FC - Grêmio TORRES Carlos (PAR)

136 07.06.07
19.15 Buenos Aires Boca Juniors - Cúcuta Deportivo SILVERA Roberto (URU)


CONMEBOL - Official Site (English)

Boca Juniors, Santos on the brink - AP - FoxSoccer.com

Cucuta Defeat Boca Juniors 3-1 in Copa Libertadores Semifinals

Colombian side Cucuta overturned a 1-0 deficit to beat South American giants Boca Juniors 3-1.

Match Report - soccernet.espn.go.com

Copa Libertadores 20.03.2007 21.03.2007 22.03.2007

*Match Reports Open in New Window (English)
En Español - CONMEBOL.com

Mar 20-mar-07 18.30 22.30 6 Caracas FC (VEN) 0 - 4 Colo Colo (CHI) AP
Mar 20-mar-07 20.45 00.45+ 3 Cerro Porteño (PAR) 2 - 1 Cucuta Deportivo (COL) AP

Mie 21-mar-07 19.30 22.30 1 CA Banfield (ARG) 3 - 1 Club America (MEX) AP
Mie 21-mar-07 18.45 00.45+ 2 Necaxa 2 - 1 Sao Paulo FC (BRA) AP
Mie 21-mar-07 21.45 00.45+ 5 Flamengo (BRA) 1 - 0 Parana (BRA) AP

Jue 22-mar-07 19.00 22.00 8 Gimnasia y Esgrima LP (ARG) 1 - 2 Santos (BRA) AP
Jue 22-mar-07 21.15 00.15+ 7 Boca Juniors (ARG) 3 - 0 CD Toluca (MEX) AP
Jue 22-mar-07 21.30 02.30+ 4 Emelec (ECU) 1 - 0 Nacional (URU) AP




Related on Soccer Golazo:
Copa Libertadores 2007 Fixtures and Results

Copa Libertadores 15.03.2007

*Match Reports Open in New Window (English)
En Español - CONMEBOL.com

Jue 15-mar-07 22.15 6 LDU Quito (ECU) 1 - 1 River Plate (ARG) ESPN
Jue 15-mar-07 00.30+ 3 Deportes Tolima (COL) 1 - 0 Gremio (BRA) AP
Jue 15-mar-07 21.45 02.45+ 8 Deportivo Pasto (COL) 1 - 2 Defensor Sporting (URU) AP




Related on Soccer Golazo:
Copa Libertadores 2007 Fixtures and Results

Copa Libertadores 14.03.2007

*Match Reports Open in New Window (English)
En Español - CONMEBOL.com

Mie 14-mar-07 22.30 4 Velez Sarsfield (ARG) 3 - 0 Internacional (BRA) AP
Mie 14-mar-07 00.45+ 5 Parana (BRA) 0 - 1 Flamengo (BRA) AP
Mie 14-mar-07 00.45+ 8 Santos (BRA) 3 - 0 Gimnasia y Esgrima LP (ARG) AP
Mie 14-mar-07 21.00 03.00+ 7 CD Toluca (MEX) 2 - 0 Boca Juniors (ARG) AP




Related on Soccer Golazo:
Copa Libertadores 2007 Fixtures and Results

Copa Libertadores 13.03.2007

*Match Reports Open in New Window (English)
En Español - CONMEBOL.com

Mar 13-mar-07 5 UA Maracaibo (VEN) 1 - 1 Real Potosi (BOL) AP
Mar 13-mar-07 19.15 00.15+ 3 Cucuta Deportivo (COL) 1 - 1 Cerro Porteno (PAR)
Mar 13-mar-07 21.30 02.30+ 1 Alianza Lima (PER) 1 - 3 Audax Italiano (CHI)
ESPN - Two Match Reports




Related on Soccer Golazo:
Copa Libertadores 2007 Fixtures and Results

Copa Libertadores 08.03.2007

*Match Reports Open in New Window (English)
En Español - CONMEBOL.com


Jue 08-mar-07 17.15 22.15 7 Cienciano (PER) 5 - 1 Bolivar (BOL) AP
Jue 08-mar-07 21.30 00.30+ 6 River Plate (ARG) 0 - 1 Caracas FC (VEN) AP




Related on Soccer Golazo:
Copa Libertadores 2007 Fixtures and Results

Copa Libertadores 07.03.2007

*Match Reports Open in New Window (English)
En Español - CONMEBOL.com

Mar 07-mar-07 6 LDU Quito (ECU) 3 - 1 Colo Colo (CHI) AP
Mie 07-mar-07 00.15+ 3 Deportes Tolima (COL) 1 - 0 Cerro Porteño (PAR) AP
Mie 07-mar-07 02.30+ 1 Club America (MEX) 4 - 0 CA Banfield (ARG) Reuters



Related on Soccer Golazo:
Copa Libertadores 2007 Fixtures and Results

Copa Libertadores 06.03.2007

*Match Reports Open in New Window (English)
En Español - CONMEBOL.com


Mar 06-mar-07 21.15 00.15+ 8 Gimnasia y Esgrima LP (ARG) 3 - 2 Deportivo Pasto (COL) AP
Mar 06-mar-07 21.30 02.30+ 2 El Nacional (ECU) 1 - 1 Libertad (PAR) AP



Related on Soccer Golazo:
Copa Libertadores 2007 Fixtures and Results

Copa Libertadores 01.03.2007

*Match Reports Open in New Window (English)
En Español - CONMEBOL.com

Jue 01-mar-07 22.00 8 Santos (BRA) 1 - 0 Defensor Sporting (URU) AP
Jue 01-mar-07 21.15 00.15+ 7 Boca Juniors (ARG) 1 - 0 Cienciano (PER) AP
Jue 01-mar-07 02.30+ 1 Club America (MEX) 1 - 4 Libertad (PAR) AP



Related on Soccer Golazo:
Copa Libertadores 2007 Fixtures and Results

Copa Libertadores 28.02.2007

*Match Reports Open in New Window (English)
En Español - CONMEBOL.com

Mie 28-feb-07 21.45 00.45+ 4 Internacional (BRA) 3 - 0 Emelec (ECU) AP
Mie 28-feb-07 21.45 00.45+ 2 Sao Paulo FC (BRA) 4 - 0 Alianza Lima (PER) AP
Mie 28-feb-07 21.00 03.00+ 2 Necaxa (MEX) 2 - 0 Audax Italiano (CHI) AP
Mie 28-feb-07 22.00 4 Velez Sarsfield (ARG) 1 - 1 Nacional (URU) AP



Related on Soccer Golazo:
Copa Libertadores 2007 Fixtures and Results

Copa Libertadores 2007 - Colo Colo v River Plate on Thursday

Big matches in the Copa Libertadores this week.

Holders Internacional are in action on Wednesday versus Nacional of Uruguay.

Then, the marquee match-up for the week is on Thursday in Santiago as River Plate visit Colo Colo.

Mar 20-feb-07 17.15 22.15 1 El Nacional (ECU) - Club America (MEX)
Mar 20-feb-07 21.30 00.30+ 1 Libertad (PAR) - CA Banfield (ARG)
Mar 20-feb-07 21.45 02.45+ 2 Alianza Lima (PER) - Necaxa (MEX)

Mie 21-feb-07 21.30 5 Parana - Brazil - Real Potosi (BOL)
Mie 21-feb-07 21.45 23.45 5 Flamengo (BRA) - UA Maracaibo (VEN)
Mie 21-feb-07 21.45 23.45 4 Nacional (URU) - Internacional (BRA)
Mie 21-feb-07 21.00 02.00+ 7 Cienciano (PER) - CD Toluca (MEX)
Jue 21-feb-07 21.15 02.15+ 8 Deportivo Pasto (COL) - Santos (BRA) Moved

Jue 22-feb-07 21.00 00.00+ 6 Colo Colo (CHI) - River Plate (ARG)


Copa Libertadores 2007 - Fixtures and Results



More from other web sites (in a new window):
Matches and scorelines @ Goalzz.com
CONMEBOL.com - Copa Libertadores 2007
Wikipedia

Related on Soccer Golazo:
Riquelme Returns To Boca Juniors
CF America Through to Group Stage - Santos Hold Slim Lead