Flamengo, Atletico Mineiro edge toward semifinals

ASUNCION - Brazil international striker Gabriel Barbosa scored two goals and set up another as Flamengo secured a 4-1 victory at Olimpia in the first leg of their Copa Libertadores quarterfinal on Wednesday.

Uruguayan midfielder Giorgian De Arrascaeta opened the scoring from close range and then drew a penalty that Barbosa duly converted.

Ivan Torres pulled a goal back for the hosts with a header on the stroke of halftime but Barbosa struck again just after the restart with a low finish after Bruno Henrique's clever pass.

Barbosa then found Vitinho on the counterattack and the latter caressed his shot into the bottom left corner. The return leg will be played at Brasilia's Mane Garrincha stadium on August 18.

In Wednesday's only other quarterfinal first leg match, Ignacio Fernandez scored against his former club and was sent off as Atletico Mineiro won 1-0 at River Plate. The second leg will also be played on August 18 at the Mineirao in Belo Horizonte. Enditem