Copa Sudamericana wrap: Palmeiras grab advantage, Universidad draw

Palmeiras took a giant stride in progressing to the quarter-finals of the Copa Sudamericana with a 3-1 first-leg win over Millonarios.

The Brazilian side took control of the round-of-16 tie with goals from Obina, Tiago Real and Luan but the Colombian outfit did sneak a crucial away goal through Palmeiras’ Artur who put the ball through his own net.

Obina finished well after latching on to a long ball from Daniel Carvalho to put the hosts ahead in the 13th minute and went 2-0 up through Real’s close-range finish in the 54th minute.

Artur was unlucky to score at the wrong end with five minutes to play but Luan stepped up to restore Palmeiras’ two-goal cushion with a goal born from a defensive error with two minutes to play.

In the other tie, defending Copa Sudamericana champions Universidad de Chile came from behind twice at home to secure a 2-2 draw with Emelec of Ecuador but left themselves with plenty to do in the second leg.

Enzo Gutierrez’s 19th-minute header cancelled out Luciano Figueroa’s opener for Universidad but the visitors went ahead again just before half-time through Marlon de Jesus after a defensive blunder.

Sebastian Ubilla levelled it for a second time for Universidad inside a minute of the restart but Emelec will take two precious away goals back home.