Copa Libertadores: Three Group Conclude Play

Wednesday saw the conclusion of play in three Copa Libertadores groups.

Group Two:

At Asuncion, Paraguay:

Aldo Paniaqua (9') and Guillermo Beltran (67') each tallied once as Club Nacional (Paraguay) defeated visiting Monterrey 2-0, eliminating the Mexican club from the tournament.

At Sao Paulo, Brazil:

Fernando scored the only goal of the match as Sao Paulo won the Group Two crown by defeating visiting---and fellow knockout-stage qulifiers---Once Caldas 1-0.

FINAL GROUP TWO STANDINGS:

1. Sao Paulo (GP: 6; GD: +7; PTS: 13)
2. Once Caldas (GP: 6; GD: +3; PTS: 11)
3. Monterrey (GP: 6; GD: -3; PTS: 6)
4. Club Nacional (Paraguay) (GP: 6; GD: -7; PTS: 3)


Sao Paulo and Once Caldas advanced to the knockout stage.


Group Six:

At Banfield, Argentina:


Ruben Ramirez scored twice in the second half (47', 67') as Banfield locked up a berth in the Round of 16 with a 3-1 home win over Club Deportivo Cuenca.


At Montevideo, Uruguay:

Mario Ignacio Requeiro Pintos (3') and Mauricio Pereira (77') each tallied once as Club Nacional (Uruguay) locked up the top spot in Group Six---and a knockout stage berth---with a 2-0 home win over Monarcas Morelia.


FINAL GROUP SIX STANDINGS:


1. Club Nacional (Uruguay) (GP: 6; GD: +5; PTS: 12)
2. Banfield (GP: 6; GD: +5; PTS; 11)
3. Monarcas Morelia (GP: 6; GD: -4; PTS; 5)
4. Deportivo Cuenca (GP: 6; GD: -6; PTS: 4)


Club Nacional (Uruguay) and Banfield advanced to the knockout stage.


Group Eight:


At Rio de Janeiro, Brazil:


Ronaldo Angelim (16'), Michael (18'), and David (76') each tallied once as Flamengo defeated visiting Caracas FC 3-2.


At Santiago, Chile:


A 0-0 home stalemate with Universidad Catolica enabled Universidad de Chile to lock up the Group Eight title.


FINAL GROUP EIGHT STANDINGS:


1. Universidad de Chile (GP: 6; GD: +4; PTS: 12)
2. Flamengo (GP: 6; GD: +2; PTS: 10)
3. Universidad Catolica (GP: 6; GD: 0; PTS: 7)
4. Caracas FC (GP: 6; GD: -6; PTS: 2)


Universidad de Chile advanced to the knockout stage.

Since only six of the eight runners up qualify for the knockout stage (two of the berths were awarded to the two Mexican clubs---Chivas of Guadalajara and San Luis---who withdrew from last year's knockout rounds in the wake of the Swine Flu scare)  Flamengo's status as far as advancing to the Round of 16 is still in doubt, awaiting the outcome from Thursday action.