Copa Libertadores wrap: Libertad, Jaguares go top of groups

Paraguayan club Libertad are top of Copa Libertadores Group One following a 4-1 thrashing of Universidad San Martin on Tuesday.

It was Peruvian visitors San Martin who went in front five minutes into the match at Estadio Dr. Nicolas Leoz.

Striker German Alemmano – on loan from Argentine club Rosario Central – made the most of Aldo Corzo’s good work to open the scoring.

But hosts Libertad were level less than 10 minutes later though Rodrigo Rojas, who fired his shot through a crowd of players to beat Ricardo Farro in the San Martin goal.

And Libertad were in front on 18 minutes courtesy of forward Angel Orue, who was set up by Ignacio Canuto.

It was 3-1 shortly before the half-hour mark when Manuel Maciel benefited from a big deflection to finish off a good move.

Libertad strolled toward victory in the second half and made it 4-0 just five minutes after the break when Victor Ayala hit home with a bullet header.

Central midfielder Omar Pouso got the fifth and final goal to complete the rout six minutes from time.

The win lifts Libertad above San Martin and puts them a point clear at the top of Group One.

In Group Six, Mexican club Jaguares came from behind to secure a 2-1 win at home to Emelec.

Ecuadorian visitors Emelec took the lead through striker Cristian Menendez in the 24th minute at Estadio Victor Manuel Reyna.

Defender Francisco Torres equalised from the penalty spot two minutes before half-time after Carlos Quinonez fouled Jorge Daniel Hernandez inside the box.

Antonio Salazar had replaced Julio Daniel Frias Adame for Jaguares early in the first half and it was the substitute who struck the winning goal for the hosts in the 66th minute.

Jaguares are now top of Group Six, two points ahead of Internacional and Emelec.