Highlights: Copa Sudamericana 2010, Quarter finals

Independiente reached their first international semi-final in 15 years
after a 0-0 draw with Deportes Tolima of Colombia.

Luis Felipe Scolari's Palmeiras side may be in mid table obscurity going into the last few games of the Brasileirão, but they were the first team through to the semi-finals of the Copa Sudamericana after beating Atlético Mineiro in the second leg of the first all Brazilian quarter-final. Atlético can now concentrate all their efforts on escaping relegation from the top flight of Brazilian football.


Liga de Quito kept up their invincible run of results at their high altitude Casa Blanca fortress, beating Argentine visitors Newell's Old Boys 1-0 with a late goal from Diego Calderón, who was given far too much time to turn and shoot by the Newell's defence. 

Goiás were the winners of the other all Brazilian quarter final in front of Avaí's virtually empty stadium. Both teams remain in serious danger of relegation from the Brasileirão however Goiás could absurdly qualify for the Copa Libertadores as a 2nd division side if they win the Sudamericana and get relegated over the next few weeks, they are 4 games away from both outcomes.

The Argentine press have gone overboard about Independiente, claiming that their first international semi-final in 15 years signifies a return to their glory days, however in comparison to their record seven Copa Libertadores titles, an appearance in the semi-finals of South America's 2nd international club tournament does not seem that great. They qualified for the semis on away goals after a 0-0 draw with Deportes Tolima in the Juan Domingo Perón stadium belonging to their fierce rivals Racing Club. The contrast in atmospheres between the atmospheric and colourful Independiente game and the all Brazilian tie earlier in the day could not have been more stark.

Independiente will face LDU Quito in one semi-final while the other will be an all Brazilian affair between Scolari's Palmeiras and Goiás.

27-10-10
Atlético Mineiro (Bra)	1-1	Palmeiras (Bra)
10-11-10
Palmeiras (Bra)	2-0	Atlético Mineiro (Bra)
Winner: Palmeiras

27-10-10
Goiás (Bra)	2-2	Avai (Bra)
11-11-10
Avai (Bra)	0-1	Goiás (Bra)
Winner: Goiás

02-11-10
Newell's Old Boys (Arg)	0-0	LDU Quito (Ecu)
11-11-10
LDU Quito (Ecu)	1-0	Newell's Old Boys (Arg)
Winner: LDU Quito

03-11-10
Deportes Tolima (Col)	2-2	Independiente (Arg)
10-11-10
Independiente (Arg)	0-0	Deportes Tolima (Col)
Winner: Independiente

For more South American football highlights, including the Argentine & Brazilian leagues, the pick of the rest and other international tournaments:

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