Copa Libertadores Roundup

Wins for Ecuador's Barcelona, Paraguay's Cerro Porteno

GUAYAQUIL, Ecuador (AP) -- Barcelona of Ecuador dominated the deflated defense of Chile's Colo Colo to take a 2-0 Thursday in Group 7 play of the Copa Libertadores.

Jose Gavica led Barcelona's attack and in the 9th minute passed to Ariel Graziani, who kicked an untouched shot past Colo Colo goalkeeper Eduardo Lobos.

Later Thursday, Paraguay's Cerro Porteno defeated Universidad Catolica of Chile 3-2 in the group 2 matchup.

Colo Colo lacked a strong offense throughout their game and did not get a shot to reach the hands of Barcelona goalie Jose Cevallos until the 29th minute of play.

Gonzalo Fierro tried a solo drive for Colo Colo in the 38th minute, but was thwarted by a disciplined Barcelona defense led by Ivan Hurtado.

Barcelona's Marcelo Fleitas scored the Ecuadoreans' second goal in the 51st minute on a pass from teammate Orfilio Mercado.

Barcelona's next Copa Libertadores matchup comes on March 5, when the team faces Argentina's Boca Juniors in Buenas Aires on March 5.

Colo Colo faces Boca Juniors in Santiago, Chile, on Feb. 26.

In Asuncion, Paraguay, Santiago Salcedo netted two goals to give Cerro Porteno a first round win over Universidad Catolica.

Salcedo scored his first goal after just 2 minutes, with the second coming the 45th minute.

Hector Nunez sealed the win for Cerro with a second half goal.

Universidad Catolica had to wait until the 85th minute to get a score on the board, when Sergio Gioinio provided their first goal. Pablo Lenci followed with another late goal for the Chileans in the 87th minute.

Cerro will next take on Paysandu of Brazil on March 6, while Universidad Catolica plays Sporting Cristal of Peru on Feb.19.

 

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