This is why Juan Roman Riquelme came back  – to score special goals for Boca Juniors, trying to guide them to more Copa Libertadores glory. Alexandre Pato, on the other hand, failing to bring Corinthians through into the quarterfinals, showed why his career has fizzled with an astonishing miss that was partly to blame for his side getting knocked out of the competition.

Riquelme made his mark felt first, scoring his first goal for Boca since making his comeback for the team; an astonishing shot, placing a perfect shot above Cassio Ramos who was well off where he should have been, giving Boca an early lead in the second leg of the round of 16 clash. Boca had a 1-0 lead from the first leg, and with Riquelme’s away goal made it almost a certainty they would go through.

Pato didn’t start, coming on at half time. Corinthinas looked much better after his entrance, and Paulinho scored an equalizer, sparking brand new hope for the team with more than half an hour left. Pato had a chance to make it 2-1 with 15 minutes left, but showed an incredible lack of balance and coordination in front of a wide open goal, falling to the floor after an embarassing short juggle with the ball.

Boca went on to win the two legs 2-1, advancing to the quarterfinals, facing Newell’s Old Boys next.