Santos stunned by last-gasp Strongest goal
Reuters - Thursday 16 February 2012, 03:04
Holders Santos were
upset in the opening match of their Libertadores Cup defence
when they conceded a stoppage-time goal in a 2-1 defeat to
Bolivia's The Strongest in La Paz on Wednesday.
Substitute Rodrigo Ramallo scored with a diving header from
a corner in the 91st minute as the Bolivian side came from
behind to beat three-times champions Santos in the Group One
match at high altitude in the Hernando Siles stadium.
Midfielder Henrique put Santos ahead in the 10th minute when
he scrambled the ball home at a free-kick but Ernesto Cristaldo
equalised just past the half-hour mark with a low shot inside
goalkeeper Rafael's right-hand post.
Also on Wednesday, Corinthians had been staring at a
surprise defeat at Venezuela's Deportivo Tachira in Group Six
but equalised when Ralf headed home a free-kick in the fourth
minute of added-time.
Forward Sergio Herrera put Tachira ahead with his chest
midway through the first half from a failed Corinthians
clearance and as the three minutes of added-time ebbed away
Alex curled a free-kick into a packed box where Ralf rose to
send a bullet header past Robert Rivas for the equaliser.
Another Brazilian side, Flamengo, were held 1-1 by Lanus in
Buenos Aires in Group Two.
The visitors went ahead in the first minute of first-half
added time when left-back Junior Cesar's low centre evaded a
pair of Lanus defenders and Leo Moura fired the ball into the
roof of the net.
Lanus equalised with 15 minutes left when Silvio Romero
crossed from the right and striker Mariano Pavone turned the
ball back inside for substitute Cesar Carranza to blast home.