Paraguayan champions Libertad became the first club to claim a spot in the Copa Libertadores final 16 on Wednesday with a classy 1-0 victory over San Lorenzo of Argentina.
Brazilian teams Sao Paulo and Cruzeiro moved closer to qualification with wins over Defensor Sporting of Uruguay and Bolivia’s Universitario de Sucre respectively on a congested day of six group-stage matches.
Pre-tournament favorites Boca Juniors survived an early scare before running out 3-1 winners over Guarani in Paraguay, while Colombian club Boyaca Chico also claimed three points from a 3-0 home win over Universidad de Chile.
PHOTO: EPA
San Luis of Mexico were held to a 2-2 draw by Peru’s Universitario in the day’s final match.
Libertad booked a place in the knock-out round thanks to an own goal by San Lorenzo defender Gaston Aguirre to claim a fourth straight Libertadores victory.
San Lorenzo, in search of the club’s first Libertadores title, will need a strong finish in the final two fixtures to qualify from Group 8, but stayed in touch with second place.
Mexican club San Luis let victory slip away in the final seconds of their home encounter with Universitario after twice taking the lead.
Young striker Jose Reyes headed the hosts ahead in the 26th minute, but Piero Alva equalized following a free-kick six minutes before halftime.
San Luis went back in front after Michael Orozco headed home a free-kick at the back post after 77 minutes, but Universitario rescued a point in stoppage time through Gianfranco Labarthe.
A first-half strike from Guarani’s Brazilian striker Negreiros put six-time former winners Boca Juniors under pressure in Group 2, but an apparent dive in the box by Argentine captain Hugo Ibarra convinced the referee and he awarded a penalty in the 66th minute.
Juan Roman Riquelme slotted home the spot-kick and substitutes Martin Palermo and Rodrigo Palacio sealed the win with strikes in the 76th minute and 86th minute.
The win put Boca clear in the group with nine points from three wins. Guarani are bottom with no points.
In Group 4, Brazilian champions Sao Paulo claimed victory in the top of the table clash with Uruguay’s Defensor Sporting.
Borges scored the winner in the 40th minute with a powerful blast past Uruguayan goalkeeper Martin Silva.
The win moved the Brazilians three clear of Defensor and Colombian club Independiente Medellin at the top of the group. Sao Paulo and Defensor have a game in hand over the Colombians.
Cruzeiro also consolidated top spot with a 2-0 win over Bolivia’s Universitario de Sucre in Group 5.
Wellington Paulista did the damage with a penalty in the 58th minute, before sealing the victory in the final minute.
Cruzeiro lead Group 5 with 10 points from four games.
Meanwhile, a 3-0 home victory for Boyaca Chico over Universidad de Chile boosted the Colombian club to the top of Group 7. Goals from Edwin Movil after three minutes, Wiston Giron in the 18th minute and Juan Gilberto Nunez on 70 minutes secured the win.
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