Sudamericana: 10-man Internacional ends Estudiantes' win streak

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) -- A 10-man Internacional from Brazil ended Estudiantes' 43-match winning streak at home by 1-0 in the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana finals on Wednesday.

Alex's successful penalty in the 35th minute was the only goal before the 40,000-strong crowd at Unico Stadium in La Plata.

By then, Internacional had been playing a man short for 11 minutes after forward Pablo Guinazu was expelled in the 24th for fouling Estudiantes captain Juan Sebastian Veron.

Internacional will welcome Estudiantes next Wednesday in Porto Alegre.

The first Brazilian club to reach the final of Latin America's second-tier championship, Internacional played to its strengths on Wednesday: Keeping the ball low on the field and the passing short and tight.

They attacked with carefully placed passes lofted by playmaker Andres D'Alessandro, and took advantage of Alex's footwork and Nilmar's speed.

After Nilmar received a long pass from D'Alessandro that caught the Estudiantes defense by surprise, Leandro Desabato reacted quickly, cutting down Nilmar in the area.

Alex's first penalty shot was canceled by Paraguayan referee Carlos Amarilla, who said the player stopped before kicking the ball. But on his second attempt, Alex left-footed blast gave him a tournament-best five goals.

Estudiantes, winner of Copa Libertadores titles in 1968, '69 and '70, is trying to maintain Argentina's domination of the Copa Sudamericana. Argentine clubs have won it four times since it was launched in 2002, while the Brazilians have never won.

Internacional is going for its third international title since 2006.

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