Libertadores: Cruzeiro, Caracas open quarterfinals with wins

MONTERREY, Mexico (AP) -- Ze Carlos volleyed in the winning goal to give Cruzeiro a 2-1 home victory in the first leg of the all-Brazilian quarterfinal against Sao Paulo in the Copa Libertadores on Wednesday.

Caracas of Venezuela and Brazilian club Gremio drew 1-1 in the day's other quarterfinals match in Latin America's premium club competition.

The win for Cruzeiro gives the Belo Horizonte club a narrow advantage ahead of the return leg in Sao Paulo. Gremio will also be satisfied after scoring an away goal to level the scores against Caracas. The return legs of both fixtures will be played June 17.

The two remaining quarterfinals matches will be played Thursday, when Defensor Sporting of Uruguay hosts Argentina's Estudiantes and Nacional of Uruguay visits Palmeiras of Brazil. The return legs will be played on June 18.

Leonardo Silva opened the scoring for Cruzeiro with a header from a corner just before half time. Washington equalized for Brazilian national champion Sao Paulo after ramming home a loose ball in the 57th.

Cruzeiro was not to be denied however and Ze Carlos restored the lead after striking a fierce volley in the 65th minute to leave the return leg finely poised.

In Caracas, Gabriel Cichero put the home side in front against Gremio with a glancing header from Jose Manuel Rey's 2nd minute free kick.

Caracas had won all four games played at home in the Copa Libertadores this year and worked hard to contain the Brazilian club's attack.

Gremio improved in the second half however and Fabio Santos headed the equalizer at the back post from Tcheco's free kick after 74 minutes.

The Copa Libertadores kicked off in January with 38 clubs. The tournament's two-legged final will be played on July 1 and 8.

Of the eight clubs left in the competition, six have won the tournament before. Only Caracas and Defensor Sporting have yet to win a title.

Last year's champion Liga de Quito of Ecuador was eliminated in the group stage.

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