Palmeiras rout Junior in Copa Libertadores

Barranquilla, March 2: Bruno Henrique struck on either side of halftime as Brazil’s Palmeiras beat 10-man Junior de Barranquilla of Colombia 3-0 in their opening Copa Libertadores group match here. The hosts lost defender German Gutierrez in the ninth minute of Thursday’s match when he was shown a straight red card for bringing down Henrique with a scything tackle.

Henrique gave the visitors the lead minutes later before Colombia intertiol striker Miguel Borja made it 2-0 just after halftime.

Former Corinthians midfielder Henrique put the result beyond doubt by firing into the bottom corner in the 71st minute.

In Peru, six-time champions Boca Juniors of Argenti were held to a goalless draw by Alianza Lima, with former Juventus, Manchester City and Manchester United forward Carlos Tevez enduring a frustrating night.

In other matches, Venezuela’s Deportivo Lara beat Argentine side Independiente 1-0, Real Garcilaso of Peru defeated Brazil’s Santos 2-0 and Colombia’s Santa Fe were held to a 1-1 draw by Emelec of Ecuador. IANS