Opazo late show wins it for O’Higgins

Chilean champions O´Higgins continued their fine start to the Copa Libertadores with a 1-0 win against Deportivo Cali last night.

Macul – The Rancagua outfit had earned a highly creditable 0-0 draw at Copa Sudamericana holders Lanús in their opening Group 3 match last week.

They wanted to build on that in their first home game of the competition, but were forced to work hard by the Colombians at the Estadio Monumental.

Just when it seemed as though the game was going to peter out in a goalless stalemate, Yerson Opazo popped up with an 83^rd-minute winner to put Eduardo Berizzo´s men top of Group 3.

Meanwhile, Unión Española kicked off their Libertadores bid with an encouraging 2-2 draw at Independiente del Valle.

Unión had to come from behind twice to earn their point in Ecuador. The hosts took the lead through Junior Sornoza´s penalty on the half-hour mark.

The rojos levelled for the first time in the 53^rd minute when Cristián Chávez teed up Sebastián Jaime to score with a cross shot.

Independiente regained the lead four minutes later though Fernando Guerrero, but the inspired Cháves shot home almost immediately to earn Unión their away point.

It puts them in good heart for their attractive Group 2 home clash against the Brazilians of Botafogo next Wednesday, February 26.