Libertadores joy for Universidad de Chile

Universidad de Chile booked their place in the group stages of the Copa Libertadores with a dramatic 3-2 win against Guaraní last night – and became the first Chilean side to win in all the countries of South America.

Asunción – The azules went into the second leg with a one-goal advantage thanks to Rodrigo Mora´s spectacular overhead kick in Santiago last week.

But they knew it was going to be much tougher in Paraguay – and so it proved.

Fernando Fernández put the tie right back in the melting pot when he opened the scoring for Guaraní five minutes before the break.

However, Ramon Fernández put U de Chile back in the driving seat with a brilliant strike eight minutes into the second half. It meant the Paraguayans needed to score two more to knock out la U.

The home side got one of them when Jorge Benítez struck to make it 2-1 in the 64^th minute.

Universidad de Chile keeper Luís Marín, deputising for the suspended Johnny Herrera, made a few vital saves as the visitors wobbled.

But the calm returned when substitute Isaac Díaz, much maligned of late, levelled things on the night with just over 15 minutes left. And it was in-form striker Pato Rubio who put the icing on the cake with a stoppage time winner to wrap things up.

The victory meant Cristián Romero maintained his 100 per cent record since taking over as boss. The azules have now notched up four wins in a row in league and cup.

He said: “We won in Santiago and we won here. This group of players is prepared to play on any stage.”

In group 5 of the Libertadores, la U will meet Brazil´s Cruzeiro, Uruguay´s Defensor Sporting and Peru´s Real Garcilaso.

*Iquique are through to the final of the Copa Chile after beating Unión San Felipe 1-0 at home last night, 3-0 on aggregate.

Argentinian midfielder Walter Mazzolatti scored the semi-final, second leg winner in the 75^th minute.

Iquique will meet Huachipato in the final. Last night´s result was good news for Huachipato as it guarantees them Copa Sudamericana football this year.

The Copa Chile winners earns a place in the Copa Sudamericana, but Iquique have already qualified for the competition.

*The sixth round of the Clausura gets underway tonight when Rangers host Cobreloa (6.30pm) and Audax Italiano entertain Unión La Calera (9pm).