LDU and Estudiantes hit five in Libertadores
Reuters - Friday 18 March 2011, 08:57
BUENOS AIRES - Estudiantes and LDU, both
recent winners of the Libertadores Cup, each scored five goals
as the demolished their opponents in one-sided contests on
Thursday.
Estudiantes, champions in 2009, thumped Guarani of Paraguay,
helped by a hat-trick of headers from Rodrigo Lopez.
LDU, winners in 2008 and the only Ecuadorean club to have
won South American's equivalent of the Champions League, routed
five-times former champions Penarol 5-0 in Quito.
Colombia's Atletico Junior beat Oriente Petrolero 2-1 to
qualify for the last sixteen and Peruvian champions Leon de
Huanuco drew 1-1 with Brazilians Gremio.
In La Plata, Lopez, who won the Libertadores with Olimpia in
2002, scored twice in the first 20 minutes to set Estudiantes on
their way before Leandro Gonzalez added the third in the 25th
minute, again from a header.
Despite have defender Facundo Roncaglia sent off for
elbowing in the 51st minute, Estudiantes continued to dominate.
Uruguayan Lopez completed his hat-trick just before the hour
and Gonzalez notched his second, while Julian Benitez scored the
Paraguayan's consolation goal in between.
The Argentineans, who have nine points, moved one behind
Group Seven leaders Cruzeiro with both teams looking set to
qualify.
In high altitude Quito, Walter Calderon scored twice as LDU
demolished once-mighty Penarol of Uruguay.
Carlos Luna and Hernan Barco were also on target, while
Carlos Suarez put through his own goal and Fabian Estoyanoff
missed a late penalty for the visitors.
The result left Group Eight wide open with LDU, Godoy Cruz
and Penarol on six points each and Independiente on three.
In steamy Barranquilla, Group Two leaders Atletico Junior
notched their fourth straight 2-1 win thanks to two goals in
eight minutes from Carlos Bacca to qualify with two games to
spare and leave their Bolivian opponents pointless.
The Colombians are five points clear of Gremio, who should
join them in the last sixteen after former Porto midfielder
Carlos Alberto scored early in the second half to give them a
1-1 draw in Peru.
Carlos Elias had put the Peruvians ahead just before
half-time.