Copa Sudamericana Review: Penarol, Deportivo Capiata progress

Uruguayan giants Penarol progressed to the last 16 of the Copa Sudamericana on Wednesday with a 1-0 win at Deportivo Cali.

Penarol – who have won 49 titles in Uruguay and are also five-time Copa Libertadores champions – are aiming to win South America’s second-tier tournament for the first time.

Their progression looked in doubt after a 2-2 home draw in the first leg, in which their Colombian opponents came from behind twice.

But Marcelo Zalayeta’s 11th-minute goal would prove enough in Santiago de Cali.

The former Juventus, Napoli and Kayserispor striker converted Antonio Pacheco’s assist to book Penarol’s spot in the next stage of the competition.

Two other last-32 ties finished on Wednesday, with Paraguay’s Deportivo Capiata posting a 3-1 win to book a 4-2 aggregate triumph against Caracas of Venezuela.

Carlos Ruiz Peralta struck twice for Deportivo, but Cristian Flores’ 50th-minute effort brought Caracas back within a goal.

Oscar Ruiz settled the contest, though, netting with 21 minutes to play for the victorious Deportivo.

And despite suffering a 1-0 defeat at Ecuador’s Universidad Catolica, Chile’s Huachipato progressed 2-1 on aggregate.