Estudiantes Stuns Cruzeiro, Takes Title

Estudiantes became the champions of South America on Wednesday night, with a stunning upset of Cruzeiro. The first half was a physical affair with not many chances created by either side. The second half was when the game came to life. The Argentines fell behind early in the second half after a long range deflected strike found the net. It looked like the goal that would put the Brazilians on their way. However, Estudiantes responded incredibly well. Just minutes after that they would respond. It started when a beautiful pass by Juan Sebastian-Veron, who was the man of the match, found an open man on the right. His cross eluded an outstretching defender and goalkeeper to find an open Fernandez in the box, who taped it in. The goal not only tied the match, but swung the momentum firmly to their side. They put Cruzeiro under lots of pressure after that. Then, in the 72nd minutes, Estudiantes struck again. Boselli headed in a very difficult ball to give them the lead. They would have to survive a nervy final 20 minutes to win the match. A long range strike from Cruzeiro hit off of the crossbar with four minutes to play. Just after that, a free kick was floated into the box and a backheader took it to an unmarked Cruzeiro player. Some how, he failed to get a good connection and put it wide. They would get one final chance in stoppage time, when a cross found an open player. His volley though was skewed well wide of the net. It was not to be their night. This is Estudiantes fourth championship, the first since they won three in a row from 1968-1970. The win sparked scenes of wild jubilation in the streets of La Plata, as fans flooded into the streets almost immediately after the victory.