Racing went top of Copa Libertadores group three with a convincing victory over Deportivo Cali in Avellaneda. Facundo Sava’s all out attack saw Gustavo Bou, Diego Milito, Lisandro López and Oscar Romero all start for La Academia and despite their fragile defence it proved more than enough to bludgeon the visitors into submission.
Even with all that attacking talent on the pitch, it was defender Leandro Grimi who gave Racing the lead in the sixth minute when he headed in Romero’s free kick from the left and when Lisandro López struck before the half hour mark, it looked like another easy evening for La Academia.
Romero headed a third before half time when he ghosted into the penalty area unmarked to connect with Diego Milito’s cross and a complete rout looked on the cards.
Credit to the visitors they emerged from half time determined to get something from the game and had a bit of luck when Andrés Roa bundled one back within minutes of the restart.
Unable to find a second, Cali were heading for defeat and to make certain of that talented young Colombian Roger Martínez scored a superb fourth. An exquisite turn in the penalty area eluded one defender, a second touch skipped past another and Martínez slotted the ball past Luis Hurtado with ease.
There was still time for Andrés Pérez to score a second for the visitors when his shot took a deflection of Leandro Grimi but Racing were deserved winners. The result puts them top of the group, two points clear of Boca in second and four ahead of Bolívar in third. Victory against Boca in round five, or if results are in their favour, will see La Academia book their place in the last 16.
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