Corinthians reaches Copa Libertadores final by eliminating Santos despite Neymar goal / Highlights

Corinthians vs Santos, Corinthians reaches Copa Libertadores final for the first time in club history by holding defending champion Santos to a 1-1 draw. Despite Neymar goal Corinthians wins the semifinal vs Santos 2-1 on aggregate. Highlights Video

Sao Paulo, Brasil / NationalTurk – Corinthians reaches Copa Libertadores final, the highest prize for club football in South America for the first time by drawing 1-1 with defending champion Santos, team of Neymar, on Wednesday at the Pacaembu in Sao Paulo. With the result Corinthians vs Santos Copa Libertadores semi-final tie ended 2-1 on aggregate for Corinthians.

Corinthians will play in their first ever Copa Libertadores final. Corinthians had beaten their fellow Brazilian club Santos 1-0 last week in Santos. Corinthians is a popular club in Brazil and a five-time national champion, but it has never had much success internationally until now. Corinthians only achievement at international football came when they won the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup in 2000, when they were invited as the host team.

Corinthians has been defeated yet in 2012 Copa Libertadores and has conceived only 3 goals. When playing at Pacaembu in Sao Paulo, Corinthians outscored its opponents 14-1. Neymar’s goal was the first it had conceded at home.

Neymar the superstar gettin comparisons to Messi talentwise, scored for Santos in the 36th minute, putting the semifinal of Corinthians vs Santos level on aggregate. He knocked the ball in from close range after Borges’ shot struck the far post and rebounded back toward the striker near the goal line in an effective team work display ignited by Neymar himself. Santos was looking to reach its fifth Copa Libertadores final and win its fourth title, which would have been its second consecutive since the great Pele era in the 1960s.

Danilo scored the all-important goal for Corinthians in the 2nd minute of second half of Corinthians vs Santos Copa Libertadores semi final second leg. He scored with a shot from the six-meter line after a free-kick cross by Corinthians midfielder Alex.

Corinthians vs Santos 1:1 (Agg 2-1): Neymar goal not enough as defending champions Santos exit in semi-final

Corinthians will play against either six-time Copa Libertadores champion Boca Juniors of Argentina or Universidad de Chile from Chile. Two teams will play their secon leg match on Thursday in Chile. Boca Juniors have the advantage as they won the first leg 2-0 last week in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Boca is a draw away from its 10th final, while Universidad de Chile never reached the final of the premier Latin American competition.

Corinthians vs Santos Copa Libertadores as it happened Highlights Video : Watch Neymar ‘s goal become futile

[media id=532 width=610 height=340]

Needing a victory, Santos controlled possession from the start at the Pacaembu stadium but struggled to break through Corinthians’ defense.

Its goal came on a play started by Neymar, who found striker Alan Kardec on the right. He crossed to Borges, who dived feet first to redirect the ball toward the far post.

Danilo’s equalizer came after a foul on substitute striker Liedson on the left flank. Alex’s cross went through Santos defense and found Danilo free from markers near the far post. He placed his shot past onrushing Santos goalkeeper Rafael.

 The Timao will be looking to lift the Copa Libertadores trophy for the first time in their history

The 20-year-old superstar brought the tie level in the first half but after Danilo regained the hosts the advantage soon after the restart they shut up shop and held on to the win

Kick off  of Corinthians vs Santos Copa Libertadores semi final match was delayed after Santos’ late entry to the pitch but as predicted they set out to attack from the off while Corinthians appeared happy to soak up the pressure. But the Timao looked dangerous on the counterattack and in the 11th minute a quick break, working the ball from right to left, ended with Willian producing a feeble shot from inside the area.

The Musketeers ( Corinthians nickname )continued to play some crisp passing football in the Peixe ( santos nickname ) half and 10 minutes later they won a free kick 25 yards from goal. Alex gave the visitors a scare as attempt to curl the ball into the top corner was turned behind off the fingertips of Rafael, knocking the post on its way.

Santos’ attack was lacking tempo and focus which made it difficult for the visitors to penetrate the tight as a Brasilan ass Corinthians defence and test Cassio. However, five minutes after Juan saw his deflected effort saved on the half-hour mark Tite’s typically resilient defence was beaten.

Corinthians vs Santos 2012 Libertadores : Corinthians will face Boca at the final of Copa Libertadores unless miracle happens

Neymar broke forward at pace before slipping the ball to Alan Kardec on the right. Kardec centred the ball from close to the byeline and Borges diverted it on goal. The striker’s effort came back out off the post yet fortunately for the Peixe Neymar had followed in to tap in from close range.

Following the goal Corinthians’ counterattacking became far more sporadic as they committed less men forward in the Corinthians vs Santos Copa Libertadores game. After Ralf volleyed well over on the stroke of half time, Jorge Henrique saw his header from Fabio Santos’ cross clawed away from goal in a brilliant save from Rafael.

With the Corinthians vs Santos game going to penalties as it stood due to there being no extra time or away goals, Liedson entered the fray as Corinthians upped their search for a goal. And it only took them two second half minutes to find it as Alex’s free kick from wide on the left was controlled by the unmarked Danilo at the back post who slotted a composed finish past the Santos keeper.

Corinthians soon returned to their defensive style and once more stifled the Santos forwards. Chances to test Cassio were again at a premium and a wayward effort from Juan midway through the second half of Corinthians vs Santos clash was as good as it came for the reigning champions from Santos. For Corinthians, Alex’s missile from a short free kick in the 75th minute was parried unorthodoxly away by Rafael. Corinthians secured a place in the Copa Libertadores finals.

[adrotate banner=”42″]