Brazil s Gremio off to Copa Libertadores winning start

Rio de Janeiro March 10 (IANS) Brazilian Serie A football club Gremio struck on either side of halftime to earn a 2-0 away victory over Venezuela s Zamora in their opening Copa Libertadores group match.

Leo Moura opened the scoring on the stroke of halftime before Luan Viera doubled the visitors lead just after the restart on Thursday reports Xinhua news agency.

The result at the Agustin Tovar stadium lifted Gremio to the top of Group 8 ahead of Paraguay s Club Guarani on goal difference.

Meanwhile three-time champions Nacional of Uruguay secured a 1-0 away win over Argentina s Lanus thanks to a first-half goal from Hugo Silveira.

And Alejandro Chumacero scored a brace as Bolivia s The Strongest clinched a 2-0 home win over Colombia s Independiente Sante Fe.

The winner of the Copa Libertadores South America s top club competition will earn the right to play at the FIFA Club World Cup in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in December.

--IANS
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