Copa Libertadores wrap: Cruzeiro cruise, Internacional held to draw

Cruzeiro opened their Copa Libertadores campaign in style by thrashing Estudiantes de La Plata 5-0 on Wednesday.

A tight contest was expected between two of last season’s quarter-finalists, but forward Wallyson put Brazilian hosts Cruzeiro in front within the first 60 seconds of the Group Seven match at the Arena do Jacare.

Roger made it two on 17 minutes and Argentine champions Estudiantes found themselves 3-0 down when countryman Walter Montillo breached their defence in the 38th minute.

Midfielder Montillo struck again to put Cruzeiro 4-0 up just before the hour mark and Wallyson also finished with a brace after completing the scoring at 5-0 eight minutes from time.

The emphatic win sees Cruzeiro top Group Seven on goal difference ahead of Colombian side Deportes Tolima, who beat Guarani on Tuesday.

Union Espanola salvaged a point thanks to a last-minute penalty in their all-Chilean Group Four clash with Universidad Catolica.

Hosts Union went ahead through Leonardo Monje two minutes into the second half at the Estadio Santa Laura, before Lucas Pratto levelled for the visitors.

Five minutes later midfielder Fernando Meneses gave Catolica the lead and they looked to be heading for an important opening victory, before Braulio Leal equalised from the spot in the 90th minute.

Reigning champions Internacional of Brazil opened their title defence with a 1-1 draw away to Ecuadorian club Emelec in Group Six.

Internacional, who beat Mexican outfit Guadalajara 5-3 over the two legs of last season’s final, took the lead through Mario Ariel Bolatti in the 79th minute at the Estadio George Capwell.

But midfielder Fernando Gimenez rescued a share of the spoils for the hosts with an equaliser in the 90th minute.

In the other match in Group Six, second-half goals from Miguel Martinez and Ricardo Esqueda helped Chiapas of Mexico secure a 2-0 win over Bolivian side Wilstermann.

In Group One, a brace from Heber Arriola and a German Alemanno strike gave Peruvian champions Universidad San Martin a 3-0 win away to Colombian title holders Once Caldas.