Giovani of Brazil's Palmeiras kicks the ball as Maurice Cova of Venezuela's Deportivo Tachira (center) tries do block during a Copa Libertadores soccer match in San Cristobal, Venezuela, April 6, 2022. (MATIAS DELACROIX / AP)

RIO DE JANEIRO - Young striker Rafael Navarro scored two second-half goals as defending champions Palmeiras cruised to a 4-0 away victory over Venezuela's Deportivo Tachira in their Copa Libertadores opener on Wednesday.

Dudu struck in the eighth minute for the Brazilian side by firing home after a Wesley corner, and Raphael Veiga doubled the lead with a long-range effort just after the half-hour mark

Dudu struck in the eighth minute for the Brazilian side by firing home after a Wesley corner, and Raphael Veiga doubled the lead with a long-range effort just after the half-hour mark.

Navarro extended the lead with a superb volley after Mayke's cross from the right side of the penalty area. The 21-year-old made it 4-0 by heading home five minutes later after another Wesley delivery from the left.

"Today we played like the reigning champions," Veiga said. "I'm happy with the way I performed but, more importantly, we were able to gel as a team. Everybody played their part."

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Robert Rojas of Argentina's River Plate (left) and Ricardo Lagos of Peru's Alianza Lima battle for the ball during a Copa Libertadores soccer match in Lima, Peru, April 6, 2022. (MARTIN MEJIA / AP)

Meanwhile, Argentine giants River Plate secured a 1-0 win at Alianza Lima courtesy of a second-half strike from Matias Suarez. The hosts were forced to play the last five minutes with 10 men after Aldair Rodriguez was shown a straight red card for violent conduct.

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In other Copa Libertadores fixtures on Wednesday, Emelec drew 1-1 at Independiente, Bragantino won 2-0 at home to National and Independiente Valle beat America Mineiro 2-0.