A second half Nicolás Bertolo brace was enough to overturn last week’s first leg defeat in Montevideo and secure Banfield victory over Boston River in the Copa Sudamericana.
Trailing 1-0 from the first leg, Julio César Falcioni’s side needed a performance and while they still clearly lack creativity and goals, Banfield got the victory required to set up an all-Argentine last 16 clash against Defensa y Justicia.
The home side dominated the opening 45 minutes without ever really being able to open up the Uruguayan visitors but the somewhat dull first half made way for an exciting second.
A splendid passage of play saw Bertolo open the scoring five minutes after the restart to level the tie but when Jesús Dátolo blazed over a penalty and Boston River suddenly became woke up, the match came alive.
Banfield goalkeeper Iván Arboleda preserved El Taladro’s lead and after 65 minutes referee Victor Carrillo pointed to the spot for the second time. Dátolo wasn’t trusted again and so Bertolo stepped up to cooly slot past Gonzalo Falcón.
Boston River only needed one to go through on away goals and almost snatched it late on, rattling the frame of the Banfield goal but it wasn’t to be.
Banfield move on to the last 16 and will play relative neighbours Defensa y Justicia.
