Liga Universitaria de Quito assumed control of its Copa Sudamericana semi-final following a 2-0 home first-leg win over Velez Sarsfield.
A second-half double from Hernan Barcos ensured the Ecuadorian side would take a handy advantage to Buenos Aires next week.
The host also twice hit the woodwork while the closest Velez, the Argentinian champion, came to an away goal was when Augusto Fernandez had a header cleared off the line.
Liga dominated the opening half without scoring with away goalkeeper Marcelo Barovero immediately forced into action.
Barovero twice denied Fernando Hidalgo early on, first to keep out a long-range drive, before clawing away a dangerous header.
Patricio Urrutia shot just wide after 12 minutes before Barcos hit the woodwork for the first time with a fierce shot.
Barovero also saved from Miller Bolanos as Velez had to rely on counter-attacks to pose any threat.
The visitor's best chance of the opening period came via a quick break but when Ariel Cabral got his shot away Liga goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez made a smart save.
Liga's dominance finally paid off four minutes after half-time when Barcos opened the scoring.
Ezequiel Gonzalez stole the ball from Ivan Bella and his shot deflected off Barcos to wrong-foot Barovero and nestle in the net.
Velez reacted positively to going behind and had its chances to equalise.
Emiliano Papa made a good run down the left only to shoot tamely when one-on-one with Dominguez.
Fernandez then saw his side's best chance hacked clear off the line by Paul Ambrosi after his header had beaten the Liga goalkeeper.
With time winding down Velez went back into its shell, seemingly happy to take a 1-0 disadvantage back to Argentina, however, it proved costly as Liga struck again.
Gonzalez had fired a warning shot on 82 minutes when he crashed a shot against the frame of the goal before he teed up Barcos in the dying moments to net his second with a powerful shot.
