Vasco da Gama overturned a 2-0 first-leg deficit and a 3-1 aggregate scoreline to beat Peruvian side Universitario 5-4 in the quarter-finals of the Copa Sudamericana.
Diego Souza got Vasco on the scoreboard with a first-half penalty but Raul Ruidiaz equalised for the visitors on a swift counter-attack. Souza and Universitario's Antonio Gonzales were both sent off at half-time for arguing and Rabanal made it 2-1 shortly after the break with a deflected effort.
However, Elton restored parity almost instantly and Dede gave Vasco the lead on the night before Rabanal was shown a red card. The Peruvian side were unable to cope with just nine men and Dede and Alecsandro both scored to send the Brazilians through to the semis.
Dede and Vasco substitute Bernando clashed at the end of the match after the latter spurned the chance to shoot and decided to go alone. Team-mates confirmed that the incident is now in the past though, with Eder Luis saying: "[Dede] was angry, right? And with good reason.
“Nobody wanted to lose, so this type of reproach is good. I didn’t think it was show-boating, but at that moment in the game, Dede thought he should have shot quickly. Bernado took another decision and it didn’t come off. But I think he’ll think twice about doing that next time.”
Also into the last four are Velez Sarsfield, who progressed at the expense of Independiente Santa Fe thanks to a late penalty.
The two sides drew 1-1 in Colombia but Velez got off to a dream start at home as Guillermo Franco netted twice in the opening 20 minutes. Velez could have extended their lead further before Santa Fe struck back with goals from Jonathan Copete and Omar Perez.
The Colombians appeared to be heading for the semi-finals by virtue of away goals but the referee awarded Velez a penalty in the last minute of normal time. Santa Fe protests fell on deaf ears and Juan Manuel Martinez stepped up to send Velez through.
