Guerrero sends Internacional into Copa Libertadores group stage

PORTO ALEGRE -- A first-half goal from veteran Peruvian striker Paolo Guerrero gave Internacional a 1-0 victory over Deportes Tolima on Wednesday and sent the Brazilian club into the Copa Libertadores group stage.

The result handed Internacional a 1-0 win on aggregate after the teams drew 0-0 in the first leg of their qualifier in Colombia last week.

Internacional will now contest Group E of the Copa Libertadores alongside America de Cali, Universidad Catolica and local rivals Gremio.

Guerrero put the hosts ahead on the stroke of halftime here by tapping in at the far post after clever dribbling and a precise cross from Argentinian Andres D'Alessandro.

The hosts were reduced to 10 men just after the hour mark when D'Alessandro was sent off for a studs-up challenge on Yeison Gordillo.

But the Colombian side was unable to capitalize and they had goalkeeper Alvaro Monteiro to thank for not conceding again when he somehow parried away another Guerrero attempt late in the match.

Earlier, Ecuador's Barcelona de Guayaquil booked a group-stage place by routing Cerro Porteno 4-0 in Paraguayan capital Asuncion.

Fidel Martinez struck two first-half goals while Leandro Martinez and Damian Diaz were also on the scoresheet for the visitors.

Barcelona de Guayaquil's 5-0 win on aggregate earned them a berth in Group A alongside reigning champions Flamengo, Independiente del Valle and Junior Barranquilla.