Omar Arellano scored the equalizer in the second half as Mexican club Chivas drew 1-1 with Universidad de Chile in the first leg of the Copa Libertadores semifinals Tuesday.
Rafael Olarra opened the scoring for Universidad with a header at the back post in the 48th minute against the run of play. Arellano headed in Alberto Medina's corner in the 52nd to level the scores.
The return leg will be played next Tuesday in Santiago, Chile.
Universidad goalkeeper Miguel Pinto was satisfied with his team's performance.
"It's a very good result for us," he said. "Scoring an away goal makes us very comfortable. Now we've got to do the right things in Santiago to go through to the final."
Although Chivas is a Guadalajara-based club, the match was played in the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City to take advantage of Chivas' strong support in the capital.
Brazilian clubs Internacional and Sao Paulo play the first leg of the other semifinal on Wednesday.
After a tight first half, Chivas striker Adolfo Bautista met Omar Bravo's cross with a bouncing header that was tipped over by Pinto at the start of the second period.
Chivas continued to push after the goals, with Medina dragging a shot wide on the turn after swapping passes with Hector Moreno in the 58th minute.
Pinto pushed away Arellano's angled shot in the 74th minute and Bravo wasted two late chances.
The Copa Libertadores is Latin America's top club competition. The tournament took a break after the quarterfinals to make way for the World Cup, restarting at the semifinal stage.
Chivas and Universidad are attempting to reach the final for the first time. Internacional won the title in 2006, while Sao Paulo was champion in 1992, 1993 and 2005.
