Typically, when finals go to a penalty shoot-out, there is a feeling that either side could come out on top. But that hardly applied to the 2018 Copa Sudamericana.

Atletico Paranaense of Brazil had been forced to substitute their entire attacking line in the course of an epic 120 minutes against Atletico Junior of Colombia. Even so, there seemed little chance of the Colombians prevailing from the spot. Just over a year ago they blew the chance of reaching the 2017 Copa Sudamericana final by missing...

In last week's semifinal of the Copa Sudamericana, Atletico Junior of Colombia wasted a penalty in front of their own fans in Barranquilla. James Sanchez had a weak shot saved. But it hardly mattered. Against fellow Colombians Santa Fe, Junior were a goal up on the night and 3-0 ahead on aggregate, and that is the way that it stayed. 

This week's penalty miss may prove more costly. Sanchez had already been substituted when Junior were awarded a spot kick against Brazil's Atletico Paranaense....

Amid all the fuss about the River Plate-Boca Juniors game being transferred to Madrid, it is easy to forget that a continental final will take place on South American soil this week and next. The Copa Sudamericana, the Europa League equivalent, comes to a climax with a two-legged decider between Junior of Colombia and Atletico Paranaense of Brazil -- and the home-and-away format means that the matches are taking place at opposite ends of the continent.

This Wednesday, they meet in Barranquilla,...