In spite of their blip last week, Racing are now on the verge of qualifying for the last 16 of the Copa Libertadores after avenging the defeat in Avellaneda with a 2-0 victory in Lima against Sporting Cristal. And while Racing still need another win to ensure progression, Boca could take their place in the next round before they play their final two matches. A second five-goal demolition of Zamora in a week means that if Palestino do not get a result tomorrow, Boca will be the first side with a guaranteed place in the knockout stages.

Sporting Cristal  0 – 2  Racing Club

Following last week’s defeat there was understandably a nervy atmosphere around Racing’s trip to Lima but buoyed by the return of Diego Milito Racing were able to reaffirm control of group eight. There was little to separate the sides until a defensive howler from Renzo Revoredo. His weak back-pass was pounced on by Carlos Nuñez and Revoredo then bundled the attacker to the ground to gift Racing the most generous of penalties. Diego Milito made no mistake in stroking the ball into the net and minutes remaining Ezequiel Videla made sure of the victory with a superbly controlled lob over the head of Diego Penny.

Zamora  1 – 5  Boca Juniors

Understandably give the ease of the 5-0 victory in La Bombonera last week Boca Juniors may have approached the return match against Zamora in Venezuela a little complacently. A lacklustre first half found Rodolfo Arruabarrena’s side a goal down after John Murillo bundled the ball past Guillermo Sara but once Boca stepped up a gear after the break there was no contest. Juan Manuel Martínez clipped them level before Zamora had Luis Vargas sent off. From the resulting freekick, Nicolás Colazo thumped Boca in front and shorlty after the left back smashed in another long range effort. Andrés Chávez added a fourth on the break before Martínez acrobatically volleyed his second of the match. With a 100% record in group five, Boca have one foot in the last 16 already.