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Boca Juniors defeated Cruzeiro 2-1 at La Bombonera in the Libertadores Cup round of sixteen first leg.
The reigning champions' goals were scored by the greatest star of the club, Juan Román Riquelme (6th minute in the first half), and midfielder Jesús Dátolo (20th minute in the second half).
The team managed by Carlos Ischia was the better side throughout the match. They created chances from both wings (Palermo missed three clear one-on-one situations against the goalkeeper, Palacio missed two and Álvaro missed another one) and absolutely dominated the flow of the game.
Riquelme opened the score after a cross from the right wing by Álvaro González. Román almost overran the ball and had to let himself fall to hit the ball like very few can.
Our team always showed an ambitious, aggressive and attacking game. Whereas the Brazilian side just played defensively.
In the 20th minute of the second half, Dátolo showed another flash of talent, like he has been doing lately, and scored the 2-0 goal with a genius move similar to the one he made against Unión Maracaibo.
The visitors scored in an unlucky play for the Xeneize. Fabricio got the ball after a corner kick and fired the ball with his right foot, the ball ricocheted off Álvaro González and caught Caranta out of position.
Near the end, Riquelme forced goalkeeper Fabio to dive to save a powerful and accurate shot from 22 meters away.
The final score was unfair. Boca created a myriad of clear goal chances but lacked good finishing. The second leg will be held in Brazil, where the reigning champions know how to win: with poise and cup mystique.-
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