It is only a month or so since Independiente lifted the Copa Sudamericana but on Tuesday evening the 2018 edition kicked off and Colón made a fine start with victory over Zamora in Venezuela.

Eduardo Domínguez’s side are always tough to breakdown but often not the most prolific in front of goal so Javier Correa’s  opening goal inside five minutes was a welcome surprise. Diego Vera’s initial header was saved and when Oscar Hernández failed to clear, Correa nodded the ball past Joel Nadar.

Given some of the chances wasted, Colón may have felt as though taking only a one-goal lead back to Santa Fe would have been a missed opportunity but five minutes from time, Vera rose to head a second.

The two sides meet again in the Estadio Brigadier General Estanislao López on March 6th but Colón are now heavy favourites for a place in the second round.