Victor Lopez and Emilio Zelaya scored headed goals in the first half to give Argentine club Banfield a 2-0 home win over Deportes Tolima of Colombia on Wednesday in the Copa Sudamericana round of 16.
Lopez opened the scoring from Walter Erviti’s free kick in the 14th minute and Zelaya doubled the advantage from Marcelo Quinteros’ cross in the 24th to make Banfield favorite to progress ahead of the return leg in Colombia on October 12.
Uruguayan club Defensor Sporting had a 1-0 win against Independiente of Argentina in another first leg match played Tuesday.
The remaining fixtures in the round of 16 will take place during October.
The Copa Sudamericana is the second most prestigious club tournament in South America, after the Copa Libertadores. (Associated Press)