Palmeiras, in an inspired night by Rafael Navarro, who scored 4 goals, crushed the Bolivian Independiente Petrolero 8-1, and with 6 points consolidated their position as leaders of Group A in the Copa Libertadores.
Ze Rafael, Rony, and Raphael Veiga, with two goals each, completed the onslaught by the two-time tournament champion. Colombian Érick Correa scored a consolation goal for the Sucre-based team.
Verdao had previously come from a 4-0 victory against Deportivo Táchira in San Cristóbal, while the Bolivians drew 1-1 against Ecuador's Emelec in Guayaquil.
Under the guidance of Argentine coach Marcos Robledo, Independiente Petrolero surprised at the 5th minute when their compatriot Jonatan Cristaldo, a former Palmeiras player, crossed for Correa who precisely finished against goalkeeper Wéverton to put the unexpected 0-1 on the scoreboard.
After several attacks, the local team equalized with a precise pass from full-back Jorge to Ze Rafael, who, with a low shot, scored the temporary 1-1 in the 40th minute.
In the first minute of the second half, after an advance by Breno Lopes, Navarro scored a header for Palmeiras to make it 2-1, and then added a third goal 7 minutes later, after a play by Jorge and captain Gómez.
The striker completed his hat-trick with 3 goals in less than 10 minutes of play, taking advantage of a perfect pass from Gabriel Verón in the 56th minute, driving the near 30,000 spectators at the Allianz Parque into delirium as they chanted "Navagol" in unison.
Palmeiras' Rain of Goals
But there was still another goal from the striker, who scored in the 77th minute after a pass from Mayke, and to complete his performance, he set up a ball for Rony to score the sixth goal in the 79th minute.
The home team didn't stop there, as creative midfielder Raphael Veiga scored two amazing goals, one from a free-kick, in the 85th and 90th minutes, sealing the 8-1 victory.
Palmeiras' starting lineup also included Gómez, Chilean Benjamín Kuscevic, and Colombian Eduard Atuesta.
Independiente Petrolero's lineup featured Paraguayan Francisco Silva, Ecuadorian Nixon Folleco, Argentinians Cristaldo, Luis Acuña, Leonel Buter, and Martín Chiatti, and Colombians Correa, Janeiler Rivas, and Harold Reina.
The match that concludes the second round of the group stage will be played on Thursday in the Ecuadorian port of Guayaquil between Emelec and Táchira.
Next week, Independiente Petrolero will host Táchira, and Palmeiras will visit Emelec.
(Information by EFE)
The Eight Goals of Palmeiras
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