Joaquin Botero's second-half goal allowed UNAM Pumas to draw defending champion Boca Juniors 1-1 in the first-leg final of the Copa Sudamericana on Tuesday.Rodrigo Palacio's 30th-minute score became an important away goal for Boca, which will host the second leg on Dec. 18 in Buenos Aires.Palacio sneaked passed the Pumas central defenders before smashing the ball passed goalkeeper Sergio Bernal.Pumas rallied in the second half, relentlessly attacking until Bolivian Botero charged forward from the half-way line to score in the 53rd minute.Bocas continued to play in their half and try and shut down play, but Pumas continued to threaten the Juniors' goal, coming close to scoring on several occasions."It was a fair tie. It was one half for each side," Palacio said. "It is a very difficult stadium here."The Pumas are attempting to become the first Mexican team to win a tournament organized by the South American Soccer Confederation. The Copa Sudamericana was created in 2002.In 2001, Mexican club Cruz Azul contested the Copa Libertadores final, but were defeated by Boca. (AP)
Pumas draw Boca 1-1 in first final
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