Cruzeiro Holds Group Lead After Bombonera Draw as CONMEBOL Publishes VAR Review

Overview

• Cruzeiro drew 1-1 with Boca Juniors at La Bombonera on Tuesday and moved top of Group D with eight points, meaning the club will qualify for the Libertadores round of 16 if it wins its final group game.
• CONMEBOL on Wednesday published VAR audio and images that defended the referee’s calls in the Bombonera match, including the annulment of Miguel Merentiel’s late goal for handball and the review that led to Gerson’s red card.
• Mirassol beat Always Ready 2-1 and secured early qualification to the Libertadores round of 16, while Fluminense’s 2-1 win over Bolívar left the club still dependent on other results to advance.
• Botafogo is already through to the next phase of the Copa Sul‑Americana and will play Independiente Petrolero in Assunción after the fixture was moved from Sucre because of political unrest in Bolivia.
• The CBF and Santos have drawn up a recovery plan after tests showed Neymar has a moderate calf edema, and the player will be assessed when he reports to Brazil’s training base on May 27 with his availability for pre‑World Cup friendlies uncertain.