Copa Libertadores: Club Libertad, Cruzeiro, and Velez Sarsfield Lock Up Sweet Sixteen Berths As Two Groups Conclude Play

Two groups concluded play Thursday in the Copa Libertadores.

Group Four:

At Santa Cruz, Bolivia:

Adalberto Roman (38') and Rodolfo Gamarra (52') each tallied once as Club Libertad locked up the Group Four title and a berth in the knockout stage with a 2-1 road win over Club Blooming.

At Lanus, Argentina:

A 0-0 home draw with Universitario de Deportes eliminated Lanus from the tournament.  The draw clinched second place---but not yet a knockout-stage berth---for the visitors from Peru.

FINAL GROUP FOUR STANDINGS:

1. Club Libertad (GP: 6; GD: +7; PTS; 12)
2. Universitario de Deportes (GP: 6; GD: +3; PTS: 10)
3. Lanus (GP: 6; GD: 0; PTS: 8)
4. Club Blooming (GP: 6; GD: -10; PTS: 1)


Club Libertad have been assured of a berth in the knockout stage.  Universitario locked up second place, though not yet a Round of 16 berth.  The six second-place teams with the best records would advance to the knockout stage.


Group Seven:

At Santiago, Chile:


Thiago scored at 57 minutes as Cruzeiro clinched second place----AND a berth in the knockout stage----with a 1-1 road draw with Colo-Colo.


At Buenos Aires, Argentina:


Hernan Lopez scored twice in the second half (PK-47', 83') as Velez Sarsfield laid claim to the Group Seven crown and a knockout-stage berth with a 4-0 home fistbeating of Deportivo Italia.


FINAL GROUP SEVEN STANDINGS:


1. Velez Sarsfield (GP: 6; GD: +5; PTS: 13)
2. Cruzeiro (GP: 6; GD: +6; PTS: 11)
3. Colo-Colo (GP: 6; GD: -2; PTS 8)
4. Deportivo Italia (GP: 6; GD: -9; PTS: 1)


Velez Sarsfield and Cruzeiro advanced to the knockout stage.