Juan Sebastian Veron scored in stoppage time to give defending
champion Estudiantes of Argentina a 1-0 win over Alianza Lima to
take top spot in Group 3 of the Copa Libertadores.
Alianza and Estudiantes had already qualified for the
knockout round as the top two teams in their group.
Bolivar of Bolivia beat Juan Aurich of Peru 2-0 the other
Group 3 match. Neither had any chance of qualifying.
Veron scored the winning goal for Estudiantes with almost the
final touch of the match after Hector Vidal Sosa committed a
handball in the box.
Alianza goalkeeper George Forsyth saved Veron's penalty, but
the ball rebounded to the former Manchester United midfielder and
he tapped into the empty net.
Alianza finished with 10 men after Walter Vilchez was sent
off just before the goal.
The ten clubs now assured of places in the last 16 stage are;
Corinthians and Cruzeiro of Brazil, Universidad de Chile,
Colombia's Once Caldas, Paraguay's Libertad, Alianza Lima of Peru,
Argentine clubs Velez Sarsfield and Estudiantes, and Mexico's San
Luis and Guadalajara.
San Luis and Guadalajara skipped the group stage and were
given places directly in the last 16 after being forced to pull out
at the same stage last year because of the swine flu outbreak in
Mexico.
The remaining berths in the last 16 will be decided Wednesday
and Thursday. The knockout round begins next month.
This year, the Libertadores will take a break after the
quarterfinals to make way for the World Cup. The semifinals and
final will conclude in July and August.
