Published: 17:52, April 8, 2022 | Updated: 18:19, April 8, 2022
Estudiantes ease past Velez Sarsfield in Copa Libertadores
By Xinhua

Estudiantes de la Plata's Uruguayan Agustin Rogel (left) and Velez Sarsfield's Lucas Janson vie for the ball during their all-Argentina Copa Libertadores group stage first leg football match, at the Jorge Luis Hirschi stadium, in La Plata, Buenos Aires province, Argentina, on April 7, 2022. (JUAN MABROMATA / AFP)

BUENOS AIRES - Estudiantes scored two goals either side of halftime to secure a 4-1 home win over Argentine rivals Velez Sarsfield in their opening Copa Libertadores group match on Thursday.

Lucas Janson equalized when he latched onto a Santiago Caseres cross to head home just after the half-hour mark

Emmanuel Mas gave the hosts the lead in the sixth-minute by nodding in after a Fernando Zuqui corner.

Lucas Janson equalized when he latched onto a Santiago Caseres cross to head home just after the half-hour mark.

Agustin Rogel wrested back the lead for Velez by capitalizing on another assist from Casares to head home in the 42nd minute.

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Estudiantes de la Plata's Uruguayan Agustin Rogel heads to score a goal against Velez Sarsfield during the all-Argentina Copa Libertadores group stage first leg football at the Jorge Luis Hirschi stadium, in La Plata, Buenos Aires province, Argentina, on April 7, 2022. (JUAN MABROMATA / AFP)

Gustavo del Prete and Franco Zapiola completed the rout with goals in the 53rd and 88th minutes, respectively.

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In other Copa Libertadores fixtures on Thursday, Bolivia's the Strongest drew 1-1 at home to Paraguay's Libertad and Chilean giants Colo Colo won 2-1 at Brazil's Fortaleza.