Banfield stay top of group with Nacional draw

(GSM) – Argentina’s Banfield remained atop Copa Libertadores Group 7 on Wednesday after James Rodríguez’s two goals gave them a 2-2 draw at Nacional of Uruguay.

It was a fast-paced first half in Montevideo that started with Gustavo Varela’s opener for the home side after just five minutes had been played.

Rodríguez, though, pulled Banfield level in the 18th minute with his first of the night.

After Nacional’s Christian Núñez committed an infraction in the area on 36 minutes, Rodríguez converted the spot kick to put Banfield 2-1 in front.

That lead lasted only four minutes as Mario Regueiro equalized at 2-2.

The second half failed to produce the offensive explosion of the first, and both sides took a point away from the match.

Banfield are top of the group on seven points from three games with Nacional two points back in second place. They will play the return fixture of this tie on Tuesday evening in Banfield.