While the world was captivated by Ajax’s heroics and Lionel Messi’s magic in the Champions League, South American football rumbled on and although it was a week off for the Copa Libertadores, Colón were one of the sides in Copa Sudamericana action on Tuesday evening.

After a 3-0 win in Lima last month, Colón only had to complete the job against a poor Deportivo Municipal side and Pablo Lavellén’s side were able to do that with limited fuss.

Just before the break veteran full-back Clemente Rodríguez was tripped and youngster Tomás Sandoval stepped up to slot Colón in front from the penalty spot. With the tie already over as a contest, Sandoval doubled the lead five minutes after the restart, the 20-year-old back-heeling the ball into an empty net after a defensive mix-up in the six yard box.

Colón eased into Round Two where surely bigger tests lie ahead. The third-placed sides from this year’s Copa Libertadores will drop in and with the gradual improvement of the field, El Sabalero may not find things quite so easy.

Colón  2 – 0  Deportivo Municipal

🔝🔥🇦🇷 Lo mejor de la victoria de @ColonOficial ante @CCDMunicipal. Dos goles y un global de 5-0 para llegar a la Segunda Fase de la #CONMEBOLSudamericana 🏆 pic.twitter.com/AnWwzXCO10

— CONMEBOL Sudamericana (@Sudamericana) April 17, 2019

There was also Copa Argentina action in Banfield as Defensa y Justicia ensured they weren’t the victims of one of the tournament’s many upsets with a 1-0 win over Torneo Federal A side Gimnasia y Tiro.

Nicolás Fernández’s powerful shot from outside the box midway through the first half was enough to give El Halcón victory and sets up a more testing tie against fellow Superliga side Gimnasia in the next round.

Defensa y Justicia  1 – 0  Gimnasia y Tiro