Libertadores: Cruzeiro, Estudiantes reach quarterfinals

MONTERREY, Mexico (AP) -- Cruzeiro of Brazil and Estudiantes of Argentina sealed places in the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals on Thursday, while Boca Juniors were held to a 2-2 draw in the first leg of their delayed Round of 16 match at Defensor Sporting of Uruguay.

Seven of the eight quarterfinalists in Latin America's premier club competition have now been decided.

Cruzeiro and Estudiantes join Brazilian clubs Gremio, Palmeiras and Sao Paulo, plus Nacional of Uruguay and Caracas of Venezuela.

The final spot will be decided when Boca and Defensor play their return leg in the Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires next Thursday. The first leg was postponed because the stadium in Montevideo was unavailable until this week.

Nacional and Sao Paulo received byes after Mexican clubs San Luis and Guadalajara withdrew from the competition because of the swine flu epidemic.

In the quarterfinal matches decided, Gremio will play Caracas, Cruzeiro is against Sao Paulo, Nacional will take on Palmeiras and Estudiantes will meet the winner of Boca and Defensor. The first legs will be played later this month.

The home-and-away Copa Libertadores finals are slated for July 1 and 8.

Cruzeiro striker Kleber scored the only goal of the game against Universidad de Chile in Belo Horizonte to give the Brazilian club a 3-1 aggregate victory.

Kleber scored in the 74th minute after receiving a pass from Ramires and hitting a weak shot that Universidad goalkeeper Miguel Pinto should have saved.

The Chilean club needed a victory to have any chance of progressing, but Cruzeiro dominated the encounter.

In Asuncion, Estudiantes produced a controlled away performance to hold Libertad to a 0-0 draw. Mauro Boselli had two clear opportunities in each half to give Estudiantes a win on the night, but the 3-0 victory last Thursday in the first leg in La Plata proved enough for the Argentine club to advance.

Boca Juniors will be favorite to clinch the last remaining quarterfinal berth after scoring two away goals in the draw with Defensor Sporting.

The result could have been even better for the Argentine club after Martin Palermo opened the scoring with a volley after 3 minutes.

Pablo Gaglianone scored from a corner to equalize for Defensor just before half time, but Rodrigo Palacio put Boca back in front in the 57th minute.

Boca looked comfortable, but a defensive lapse allowed Rodrigo Mora to get free at the back post for an 83rd-minute header that leveled the score again.

Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.