Colombian team Once Caldas have stunningly overturned a 2-1 home leg deficit to defeat Copa Libertadores favorites Cruzeiro 2-0 in Brazil and qualify for the quarter finals.
After a disappointing 2-1 home loss in Manizales, Caldas, in the first leg on April 27, Once Caldas were staring down the barrel of elimination from the Copa Libertadores as they prepared to face overwhelming favorites Cruzeiro, who had earned a near-perfect record of 16 out a possible 18 points during the group phase of the competition.
The Colombian team started the match positively, pressing the Brazilians into their own half, who had their goalkeeper Fabio and the crossbar to thank for keeping the match scoreless in the first half, reported El Espectador.
Once Caldas forward Wason Renteria led from the front and terrorized the defenders of the Belo Horizonte team, who were a shadow of the side that had dominated the group stage.
The Brazilians were not helped by the sending off of Roger on the half hour, although the numerical imbalance was levelled when Carlos Carbonero saw red for the Colombians shortly after half time.
Once Caldas then struck two killer blows within five minutes of each other, as Diego Amara first put Once Caldas ahead with a well placed header from a corner on 66 minutes, before Dayro Moreno became the hero on 71 minutes with a sweetly struck shot with the outside of his boot from the edge of the area.
The two goals stirred Cruzeiro from their slumber and they thought Gilberto had scored to force penalties with seven minutes remaining only for it to be ruled out for offside, inviting the ire of the locals and Cruzeiro players.
Once Caldas will now play Brazilian side Santos in the quarter finals, who boast a wealth of youthful prospects including Brazilian starlets Neymar and Ganso.
The other Colombian side remaining in the competition, Junior, meanwhile play at home in Barranquilla tonight in their return leg against Mexican side Jaguares de Chiapas, having tied 1-1 in the away leg.