Gabi Milito’s Estudiantes defeated Colombian side, Independiente Santa Fe in La Plata last night to take a deserved advantage into the second leg of their last 16 clash. However, El Pincha made hard work of the final 20 minutes and eventually succumbed to the pressure of the visitors giving Santa Fe hope for the return.
The last 16 tie was a head-to-head between Independiente icon Gabi Milito and Racing Club legend Gustavo Costas who managed the two sides and it was the former’s club who quickly established superiority. Carlos Auzqui headed Estudiantes into the lead after 20 minutes and when Guido Carrillo poked in his seventh of the tournament nine minutes later, the home side looked in full control.
Santa Fe needed a lifeline and although Hilario Navarro kept them at a bay with a string of good saves Wilson Morelo eventually pulled a goal back for the visitors, sticking out a leg to divert a free-kick swung into the penalty area.
Next Tuesday in Bogotá, Estudiantes must try and finish the job and be the first Argentine side into the quarter finals but they have plenty of work to do.
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