Copa Libertadores: Velez Sarsfield 2 Penarol 1

Uruguayan outfit Penarol are through to the Copa Libertadores final despite their 2-1 loss at Velez Sarsfield on Thursday.

A 1-0 win in the home leg in Montevideo last week coupled with Thursday’s result was enough to send Penarol through to a first final in 24 years on away goals.

A first-half goal from Henry Mier proved vital for Penarol, while Santiago Silva missed a late penalty for the hosts which would have sent them through.

Velez Sarsfield centre-back Fernando Tobio pulled a goal back for the hosts on the stroke of half time, sending the teams into the break on level terms.

Forward Silva put Velez Sarsfield ahead on the night in the 67th minute, but their hopes looked dashed after being reduced to 10 men two minutes later when defender Fernando Ortiz picked up his second booking.

Silva had the chance to hit the winner when Juan Martinez went down under a Dario Rodriguez challenge in the area with 15 minutes remaining, but he sent the spot-kick ballooning over the bar as Penarol anxiously hung on.

Penarol will meet Brazilian side Santos in the final with the first-leg to be played in Uruguay on June 15.