Copa Libertadores scores: Smooth sailing for big favorites

Last week featured tough away matches for some of Copa Libertadores’ best teams, but Tuesday was a big day for the home favorites.

Well, except for this one, though it’s tough to call Nacional a favorite at the moment. They had just one point from their group headed into this game and are on the verge of being eliminated. Edwin Cardona scored the game’s only goal, moving Atletico Nacional up to second in Group 6, on seven points.

La U suffered a massive beating at the hands of Cruzeiro in the second game of the group stage, but they’ve bounced back in a big way over the last two matches, beating Real Garcilaso twice. However, this result was hardly comfortable -- they needed a second half penalty to win. Johnny Herrera converted after Carlos Flores fouled Rodrigo Mora in the box.

Velez were surprisingly made to work very hard for this result, but when it rained, it poured for the Bolivians. Lucas Pratto and Jorge Correa scored goals in quick succession, just two minutes apart, late in the second half to seal the result for Velez. They now sit on top of Group 1.

Juan Manuel Ferreyra scored just three minutes into this match to give Botafogo the win, but there was plenty of drama at the end, with both teams failing to convert on chances in the last 10 minutes.

Santos followed up their draw in Venezuela last week with an emphatic home win on Sunday, sending them top of Group 8 with 10 points. Oribe Peralta had a big night, assisting on Andres Renteria’s opener and scoring a goal of his own in the second half. Javier Orozco was the other scorer for Santos in a comfortable victory.