Mauro Zarate nets the winner last night

The second leg of this Copa Sudamericana Last 16 game was a little more difficult than expected for Velez Sarsfield as they toiled for 70 minutes against La Equidad. However, the individual talents of Lucas Pratto and Mauro Zarate eventually prevailed and Velez were able to breathe a sigh of relief and look forward to a Quarter Final tie against either Deportivo Pasto or Ponte Preta. READ MORE AND SEE THE GOALS….

Last night’s game in Liniers should probably have been a lot more routine than it ended up being as Velez’s Colombian opponents made life very difficult. There is no question that Velez have the group of more talented individuals but La Equidad showed over both legs how that can mean very little against a well-drilled and organised unit.

Leading 2-1 from the first leg in Colombia, Velez’s task was not particularly taxing, simply avoiding defeat by two goals at home would see them through to the Quarter Finals.

However, being unable to find a way past their dogged opponents proved to be the cause for a little alarm, particularly when on the stroke of half time, La Equidad took the lead. Former Independiente striker, Jose Moreno powered a header past Sebastian Sosa in the Velez goal to give the Colombians the lead at the break.

The goal offered more than just a glimmer of hope for La Equidad but their chances were significantly reduced on the hour mark when Darwin Andrade was shown his second yellow card.

With 10 men the task became even more difficult and 10 minutes later, Velez put an end to any real resistance. Lucas Pratto ghosted into the box and met Fabian Cubero’s clipped cross with a powerful header to level things on the night.

The game was running down but there was still time for Mauro Zarate to get on the scoresheet. With 5 minutes remaining, he beat the offside trap and coolly slotted past Diego Novoa to give Velez a repeat 2-1 win and a comfortable looking 4-2 aggregate score.

The truth, of course, is that this was anything other than comfortable and Velez will need to raise their game as the competition progresses. Next up, they will face either, Brazilian side, Ponte Preta or another Colombian outfit, Deportivo Pasto.