Mexican sides show Copa potential
By Charles Froggatt for CNN
Buenos Aires, Argentina -- Mexican sides America and Santos Laguna pulled off surprise wins in the Copa Libertadores last week against Sao Caetano and Cruzeiro respectively, while Argentine sides River Plate and Boca Juniors continued their winning streaks.
America ravaged Sao Caetano's unbeaten record with a 2-1 win after a Reinaldo Navia winner on 85 minutes in Brazil.
This was the first victory for a Mexican team over a Brazilian side in the competition this season.
Sao Caetano enjoyed some attacking movements early on, but left gaps in defense as the team pushed up.
But after an even encounter, with both teams attacking well, Navia's header beat goalkeeper Silvio Luiz to secure the surprise win.
The Chilean striker's goal meant America now top the group after three games with seven points, while Sao Caetano follow with four. Both Bolivian side The Strongest and Penarol from Uruguay, who have a game in hand, are joint bottom with a point.
Santos Laguna also topped their group with a 1-0 victory over Brazilian side Cruzeiro.
Borgetti winner
Jared Borgetti netted the winner that gave the Copa Libertadores debutants a one point lead over Cruzeiro with eight points in group three. Caracas FC from Venezuela have four points and already eliminated Universidad de Concepcion from Chile have just a point.
The only Brazilian side to record a victory were Santos, who overcame Ecuador's Barcelona 1-0 at home. Santos, who were beaten in last year's final against Argentina's Boca Juniors, are the first team to reach 10 points in the group stages. They lead group seven with Barcelona and Guarani of Paraguay scrapping it out for second place. Bolivian side Jorge Wilstermann remain bottom with a point.
Velez Sarsfield put their Copa campaign back on track with a 2-0 win over Columbian side Once Caldas.
Chilavert comeback
The victory was the first for the Argentine side in the 2004 campaign and the first for charismatic goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert, who made a comeback this season.
Lucas Valdemarin and Rolando Zarate both scored each side of halftime. Chilavert, who takes free kicks and penalties, is still to score his first goal of the season.
Once Caldas still top group two, with six points while Velez and Union Athletico Maracaibo of Venezuela trail with four. Uruguay side Fenix are bottom with three points.
Boca Juniors have now leveled out group eight after their 1-0 win away to Colombian side Deportivo Cali. After a Fabian Vargas goal, the reigning champions now join the Colombians at the top of the table with six points while Bolivian side Bolivar have three and Chileans Colo Colo, who are yet to record a point, look set to join fellow Chileans Universidad de Concepcion with an early exit.
Meanwhile, Boca Juniors' fierce local rivals River Plate are gaining momentum. The Argentines have taken charge of group six after their 3-2 win away to Colombian side Deportes Tolima who now lie in third place. Deportivo Techira of Venezuela are second while Libertad of Paraguay only have a point in fourth place.
With the tournament around halfway through the group stages, the Mexican and Argentine sides appear to be dominating, with all three Chilean teams at the bottom of their respective tables.
Santos look to be Brazil's best hope for success, especially as the team remain hungry after losing last year's final. Both Santos and River Plate look to be the strongest on current form with Boca relying on individual talent to keep them afloat, despite recent encouraging team performances.
