Palmeiras rout Junior in Copa Libertadores

Barranquilla (Colombia) March 2 (IANS) 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 reports Xinhua news agency.

Henrique gave the visitors the lead minutes later before Colombia international 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 Argentina 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
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