Copa Libertadores wrap: Lanus hit Olimpia for six, Vasco edge Alianza

4 April 2012 06:24

Lanus thrashed Paraguay's Olimpia 6-0 in the Copa Libertadores to remain top of Group 2 on Tuesday.

The Argentine side netted four times in the second half for a third win in five games as Mariano Pavone helped himself to a brace.

Pavone opened the scoring in the 13th minute while former Juventus midfielder Mauro Camoranesi made it 2-0 with a header in the 28th minute.

Pavone went on to complete his double nine minutes into the second half before goals from Mario Regueiro, Diego Valeri and Silvio Romero completed the rout.

Lanus have now all but assured their qualification with their superior goal difference.

Vasco da Gama survived a late scare in a 2-1 win over Alianza Lima to take hold of Group 5.

The home side started brightly but Vasco went ahead on 18 minutes through a Felipe Bastos' effort from distance that took a wicked deflection off a defender before looping into the net.

Bastos added his second after Vasco had spurned numerous chances with an unstoppable cross-goal strike that fizzed into the top corner.

Alianza pulled a goal back with 13 minutes remaining as a comedy of errors gifted Miguel Curiel a free shot at goal and were almost handed the equaliser on a plate when Vasco's Fernando Prass spilled a high ball into the box that was eventually cleared off the line.

In the other game, Deportivo Tachira shared the points with Cruz Azul in a 1-1 draw in San Cristobal that saw the former bow out of the tournament.

Venezuelan side Deportivo took control of the match on 20 minutes when Christian Casseres played Mauricio Parra in.

Cruz Azul went looking for a second after the break when Edixon Parea blasted well over from the edge of the six-yard box before a Christian Gimenez penalty was turned away by Deportivo keeper Roberts Rivas.

Frustration turned to relief when Gimenez finally beat Rivas in the 84th minute to make it 1-1 and eliminate Deportivo from the race to qualify.

Cruz Azul move to the top of Group 6 ahead of Corinthians, with both on eight points.