Internacional of Brazil have defeated Peru’s Juan Aurich 2-0 in the first round of matches in the group stage of the Copa Libertadores.
In other games, Universidad Catolica of Chile were held 1-1 at home against Bolivia’s Bolivar, Ecuador’s Emelec won 1-0 at home against Paraguay’s Olimpia and Libertad, also of Paraguay, had a 4-1 home win over Peru’s Alianza Lima.
The 32-team group stage of the continental tournament continues next Tuesday and will wrap up in April. The final of the competition is in July.
In Group 1, two-time Copa Libertadores champion Internacional opened the scoring on Thursday through striker Oscar in the 23rd, with Argentine midfielder Jesus Datolo sealing the victory from inside the box in the 89th.
Internacional dominated the match, especially after Juan Aurich midfielder Cesar Ortiz was sent off in the 36th for earning his second yellow card following a hard foul.
In the Group 3 game in Santiago, Chile, Bolivar took the lead in the 38th with William Ferreira tapping in after Universidad Catolica goalkeeper Cristopher Toselli was left out of position following a right wing cross.
Roberto Ovelar equalised six minutes later from a counterattack.
Bolivar’s Walter Flores was sent off for a foul in the 71st, but the visitors were able to hang on for a valuable away point.
The Bolivar goalkeeper was hit on the arm by a small object thrown from the crowd in the 24th, but was able to continue.
At Guayaquil, Ecuador, Luciano Figueroa won and then converted a penalty in the 51st minute of the Group 2 game, after he was adjudged to have been pushed to the ground.
Olimpia’s Pablo Zeballas nearly equalised in the 87th when he hit the crossbar with a freekick from 30 meters. He received a straight red card in stoppage time.
The match was affected by heavy rain, which fell throughout the game, making conditions gradually more difficult.
In Group 5 in Asuncion, Paraguay, Libertad scored four second half goals to come from behind after Joazinho Arroe had put Alianza Lima of Peru ahead in the 28th.
Luciano Civelli , Sergio Aquino and Mauro Caballero put Libertad 3-1 up before Alianza Lima*s Walter Ibanez scored an own goal in the 91st.