Maxi Rodriguez’s early goal set up their emphatic victory over Nacional
Argentine clubs fared much better in the second round of games in this year’s Copa Libertadores as four of the five representatives picked up wins, leaving Lanús as the only side yet to earn three points. On Tuesday night, Vélez Sarsfield impressively dismissed Brazilian side, Atlético Paranaense in Liniers and later, Arsenal bounced back from opening day defeat to thump Deportivo Anzoátegui of Venezuela 3-0 in Sarandí. On Wednesday, it was left to Lanús to disappoint as they travelled to Paraguay to face Cerro Porteño and left with nothing after a 3-1 defeat, leaving them bottom of Group 3. Thursday brought better results for Argentina, with San Lorenzo getting off the mark in Group 2 with a narrow 1-0 win over Ecuador’s, Independiente del Valle and Newell’s Old Boys once again finding their shooting boots and thrashing Nacional 4-0 to well and truly signal their return to form. WATCH ALL THE GOALS HERE….
Vélez Sarsfield 2 – 0 Atlético Paranaense
Fernando Tobio’s scrappy first half goal and a well executed break finished off by Lucas Pratto gave Vélez a well earned victory in Liniers. Vélez now sit a top of Group 1 and are the only Argentine side to have won both their matches. A match away to Bolivia’s, wonderfully named, The Strongest is next but a third straight win will see Vélez firmly in control of this group.
| Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Vélez Sarsfield |
2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | +3 | 6 |
 The Strongest |
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
 Atlético Paranaense |
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | −1 | 3 |
 Universitario |
2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | −2 | 0 |
Arsenal 3 – 0 Deportivo Anzoátegui
Arsenal responded perfectly to their opening defeat to Santos Laguna to chalk up their first points of this year’s campaign. Venezuela’s Anzoátegui were unable to deal with Arsenal’s size and power and were duly punished as set pieces allowed Julio Furch and Ramiro Carrera to head Arsenal into a commanding halftime lead. Moments after the break, Milton Caraglio missed from the spot before adding a third with his head. Arsenal still trail the Mexican pace setters but this was an important result ahead of back-to-back matches with Peñarol.
| Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Santos Laguna |
2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | +3 | 6 |
| Arsenal |
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 3 |
 Peñarol |
2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | −2 | 1 |
 Deportivo Anzoátegui |
2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | −3 | 1 |
Cerro Porteño 3 – 1 Lanús
Lanús were well beaten in Paraguay and despite the embryonic stages of the competition they are now in must win country when they face Deportivo Cali in the next two rounds. Daniel Güiza found the breakthrough for the hosts just before the break and shortly after half time, Santos Julio Cesar put Cerro two and then three to the good. Jorge Ortiz pulled one back for Schelotto’s boys but in vain.
| Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 O’Higgins |
2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 4 |
 Cerro Porteño |
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 3 |
 Deportivo Cali |
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Lanús |
2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | −2 | 1 |
San Lorenzo 1 – 0 Independiente del Valle
The much sought after Angel Correa’s instinctive second half finish was enough to give San Lorenzo an opening Libertadores victory and the perfect riposte to the disappointing defeat in Brazil last time out. El Ciclon were made to survive a couple of nervy moments but the 3 points are all that matter and if they can add another 6 from the following double header with Chile’s Unión Española, passage to the knockout stages should be close.
| Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Botafogo |
2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 4 |
| San Lorenzo |
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | −1 | 3 |
| Unión Española |
2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 2 |
 Independiente del Valle |
2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | −1 | 1 |
Newell’s Old Boys 4 – 0 Nacional
After an opening couple of weeks domestically where the obvious lack of a striker and the resulting barren spell in front of goal was questioned, Newell’s have spectacularly answered their critics. After their four-goal haul against Atletico Rafaela at the weekend, Newell’s once again repeated the feat in demolishing Uruguay’s, Nacional in Rosario.
A wonderful passing move was rounded off by Maxi Rodriguez’s precise volley after just 15 minutes and with the home side pushing for more, Jorge Curbelo inadvertently diverted the ball into his own net.
Second half headers from Lucas Bernardi and Horacio Orzan completed the victory for Los Leprosos. With key matches ahead against Group 6 leaders, Grêmio this was a crucial win for Newell’s and a welcome return to form.
| Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grêmio |
2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | +4 | 6 |
| Newell’s Old Boys |
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 3 |
| Atlético Nacional |
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | −2 | 3 |
| Nacional |
2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | −5 | 0 |
golazo argentino 