The disappointing Copa Libertadores campaigns for Huracán and Rosario Central came to an end on Wednesday night but both managed to finally secure their first wins of the tournament albeit too late.

Huracán with Néstor Apuzzo in charge produced their most threatening display and swept aside Deportivo Lara in Parque Patricios. Lucas Gamba headed in at the back post to open the scoring and immediately after turned provider to cross for Andrés Chávez to double the lead before the half hour mark.

Gamba would poke in his second after the break and make it three and the victory at least gave those supporters who went to the Estadio Tomás Adolfo Ducó something to cheer. In spite of the victory, Huracán finish bottom of Group B with Deportivo Lara taking the Copa Sudamericana place behind group winners Cruzeiro and Emelec.

Huracán  3 – 0  Deportivo Lara

👀🎥 ¡Para volver a ver!
Lo mejor del triunfo de @CAHuracan
ante @DeportivoLara en la última fecha del Grupo B de la #CONMEBOLLibertadores 🏆 pic.twitter.com/xc0wIZU27V

— CONMEBOL Libertadores (@Libertadores) May 9, 2019

It was the same for Rosario Central, who managed to beat Group H winners Libertad at the Gigante de Arroyito.

Youngster Joaquín Pereyra burst forward to fire a shot from the edge of the box that sneaked past goalkeeper Martín Silva and although Marcelo Ortiz conceded a penalty just after half time to allow Oscar Cardozo to equalise it failed to dampen spirits.

Largely due to Germán Herrera bidding farewell to supporters, the veteran striker had already announced his retirement and an emotional second half substitution was a fitting end to the 35-year-old’s career.

Herrera’s replacement Claudio Riaño scored the winner and even though Washington Camacho was sent off late on, Central held on for the win. Bottom of the group it made no difference and Libertad still took top spot to progress to the last 16 with Grêmio while Universidad Católica take their place in the Copa Sudamericana.

Rosario Central  2 – 1  Libertad

👍😄 @CARCoficial se despidió de la #CONMEBOLLibertadores con una sonrisa: venció por 2-1 a @Libertad_Guma y le demostró todo su cariño a su ídolo Herrera pic.twitter.com/XNLHyTjV2r

— CONMEBOL Libertadores (@Libertadores) May 9, 2019

Surprisingly out of form San Lorenzo had already confirmed their place in the next round and so all that was up for grabs from their trip to São Paulo to play Palmeiras was top spot in F.

With so little at stake and San Lorenzo never the most exciting side to watch it was a poor game at Allianz Parque and ultimately settled by Gustavo Scarpa’s second half strike.

Whether or not Jorge Almirón will remain in charge remains to be seen but without significant improvement over the next couple of months few sides in the last 16 will fear being drawn against Los Cuervos.

Palmeiras  1 – 0  San Lorenzo

🎥 ¡Lo mejor de la victoria de @Palmeiras ante @SanLorenzo para asegurarse el primer lugar del Grupo F de la #CONMEBOLLibertadores! pic.twitter.com/DJMku4jkao

— CONMEBOL Libertadores (@Libertadores) May 9, 2019

And finally in the Copa Sudamericana, Argentinos Juniors eventually secured their place in the second round despite suffering defeat in Venezuela to Estudiantes de Mérida.

Postponed by a week due to the unrest in Venezuela, Damián Batallini had been very vocal in his disappointment with CONMEBOL’s handling of the situation. Back in Mérida, Wílson Mena headed Estudiantes headed the home side in front to reduce the deficit from the first leg but a desperately poor game provided no further drama.

The 2-0 win in La Paternal in April proved enough to progress and now Argentinos await the draw for what will surely be a tougher test.

Estudiantes de Mérida  1 – 0  Argentinos Juniors (AGG 1-2)

🏆 ¡Lo mejor de la clasificación de @AAAJoficial a la Segunda Fase de la #CONMEBOLSudamericana, pese a perder 1-0 ante @EstudiantesMEFC! pic.twitter.com/XdDd6OIB0L

— CONMEBOL Sudamericana (@Sudamericana) May 8, 2019