Libertad beats Nacional 2-1 in Copa Libertadores

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (AP) — Paraguay's Libertad won 2-1 at Uruguay's Nacional on Thursday to take control of Group 5 in the Copa Libertadores.

Marcos Aguirre gave Nacional a first-half lead, but goals in quick succession in the second half from Miguel Angel Samudio and Mauro Andres Caballero tipped the game the visitors' way.

Libertad has six points from two matches. Nacional has three on the strength of a 2-1 victory last week against Brazil's Vasco da Gama.

Aguirre gave Nacional the lead in the 23rd minute, chipping in a shot from close range, and Nacional almost doubled their advantage early in the second half, but Mathias Abero hit the post in the 55th.

That was the reprieve Libertad needed to roar back with two quick goals.

Samudio scored on a counterattack in the 58th, and Caballero put the match away with the winning goal in the 64th, deflecting in a long shot.

In Mendoza, Argentina, Godoy Cruz won 1-0 at home over Uruguay's Penarol, thanks to a 52nd-minute goal by Diego Nicolas Villar. It was the first match for both clubs in Group 8 play.

Penarol was the runner-up in the tournament last year to Brazil's Santos.

Both teams had good chances in the the first half, and Villar had several, before he broke through, deflecting in a cross.

Penarol was reduced to 10 men in the 58th when Alejandro Gonzalez picked up his second yellow card.