Copa Libertdores: Group-Stage Play Ends

Thursday marked the conclusion of group-stage play in the Copa Libertadores with six games.

Group Four:

At Asuncion, Paraguay:

Silvio Torales scored the winning goal in the 83rd minute as Club Nacional locked up a berth in the knockout stage with a 3-2 home win over Independiente Santa Fe.

At Belo Horizonte, Brazil:

Jo's goal in the ninth minute stood up as Atletico Mineiro finished atop Group Four after shutting out visiting Zamora FC 1-0.  The defeat, coupled with the home win by Paraguay's Club Nacional, eliminated the Venezuelan club from the tournament.

FINAL GROUP FOUR STANDINGS:

1. Atletico Mineiro (GP: 6; GD: +3; PTS: 12)
2. Club Nacional (Paraguay) (GP: 6; GD: -2; PTS: 8)
3. Zamora FC (GP: 6; GD: 0; PTS: 7)
4. Independiente Santa Fe (GP: 6; GD: -1; PTS: 5)

Atletico Mineiro (defending champions) and Club Nacional of Paraguay advanced to the knockout stage.



Group Six:

At Porto Alegre, Brazil:

Hernan Barcos' successful 13th-minute penalty kick turned out to be all the scoring as Gremio assured themselves of top spot in Group Six with their 1-0 home win over Uruguay's Club Nacional.

At Rosario, Argentina:

Santiago Trellez (8'), Sherman Cardenas (14'), and Orlando Berrio (55') produced the goals as Atletico Nacional knocked off Newell's Old Boys 3-1 on the road and jumped the Argentinian club into the knockout stage.

FINAL GROUP SIX STANDINGS:

1. Gremio (GP: 6; GD: +7; PTS: 14)
2. Atletico Nacional (GP: 6; GD: -1; PTS: 10)
3. Newell's Old Boys (GP: 6; GD: +3; PTS: 8)
4. Club Nacional (Uruguay) (GP: 6; GD: -9; PTS: 1)

Gremio advanced to the knockout stage.



Group Eight:

At Buenos Aires:

In a battle of the two Group Eight clubs that had already clinched knockout-stage berths, Arsenal de Sarandi, with goals from Emilio Zelaya (20'), Mariano Echeverria (54'), and Marc Crosas (OG-73') dominated visiting Santos Laguna 3-0.

At Montevideo, Uruguay:

Edwin Aguilar's equalizer in the 64th minute lifted Deportivo Anzoategui to a 1-1 road draw with Penarol in the tournament finale for both clubs.  Baltasar Silva scored for the hosts in the eighth minute.

FINAL GROUP EIGHT STANDINGS:

1. Santos Laguna (GP: 6; GD: +6; PTS: 13)
2. Arsenal de Sarandi (GP: 6; GD: +7; PTS: 12)
3. Penarol (GP: 6; GD: -5; PTS: 5)
4. Deportivo Anzoategui (GP: 6; GD: -8; PTS: 3)