Copa Libertadores: Group-Stage Concludes

Copa Libertadores group-stage concluded on Thursday with six games.

GROUP ONE:

At Medellin, Colombia:

Xavier Arreaga (26') and Dario Aimar (67') each scored an own goal as Atletico Nacional defeated visiting Barcelona SC 3-1 in their tournament finale while the defeat prevented the Ecuadorian club from locking up the Group One title (they had already clinched a berth in the knockout stage).

At Quilmes, Argentina:

Augusto Solari scored the only goal of the match in the 24th minute as Estudiantes prepared for Copa Sudamericana play by knocking off visiting Botafogo 1-0, though the Brazilian club locked up top spot in Group One.

Final Group One Standings:

1. Botafogo (GP: 6; GD: +1; PTS: 10)
2. Barcelona SC (GP: 6; GD: 0; PTS: 10)
3. Estudiantes (GP: 6; GD: -1; PTS: 9)
4. Atletico Nacional (GP: 6; GD: 0; PTS: 6)

Botafogo and Barcelona SC advanced to the Copa Libertadores' knockout stage; Estudiantes qualified for the second stage of the Copa Sudamericana.



GROUP THREE:

At Buenos Aires:

Andres Mosquera scored the winning goal in the 55th minute as Independiente Medellin knocked off River Plate (who already clinched top spot in Group Three and a knockout-stage berth) 2-1 on the road.  The Colombian club was still eliminated from the tournament due to Club Sport Emelec's home win over FBC Melgar but will play in the second stage of the Copa Sudamericana, which is sort of like the Europa League of South America. 

At Guayaquil, Ecuador:

Carols Alfredo Orejuela Quinonez (27'), Pedro Quinonez (49'), and Brayan Angulo Tenorio (78') each scored a goal as Club Sport Emelec advanced to the knockout stage following their 3-0 home domination of Peru's FBC Melgar.

Final Group Stage Standings:

1. River Plate (GP: 6; GD: +5; PTS: 13)
2. Club Sport Emelec (GP: 6; GD: +3; PTS: 10)
3. Independiente Medellin (GP: 6; GD: 0; PTS: 9)
4. FBC Melgar (GP: 6; GD: -8; PTS: 3)

River Plate and Club Sport Emelec advanced to the Copa Libertadores knockout stage; Independiente Medellin qualified for the second stage of the Copa Sudamericana.



GROUP EIGHT:

At Porto Alegre, Brazil:

Luan Vieira scored twice (22', PK-28') as Gremio locked up Group Eight and a knockout-stage berth by demolishing visiting Zamora 4-0.

At Asuncion, Paraguay:

A 0-0 home stalemate with Deportes Iquique was good enough for Club Guarani as the Paraguayan club clinched a berth in the Copa Libertadores' knockout stage while the visiting Chilean club had to be content with a Copa Sudamericana second-stage berth.

Final Group Eight Standings:

1. Gremio (GP: 6; GD: +9; PTS: 13)
2. Club Guarani (GP: 6; GD: +2; PTS: 11)
3. Deportes Iquique (GP: 6; GD: +3; PTS: 10) 
4. Zamora FC (GP: 6; GD: -14; PTS: 0)

Gremio and Club Guarani advanced to the Copa Libertadores' knockout stage; Deportes Iquique qualified for the second stage of the Copa Sudamericana.