Rio De Janeiro, Apr 3 (UNI) A second-half goal from Argentine forward Lucas Di Yorio gave Universidad de Chile a 1-0 home victory over defending champion Botafogo in their opening Copa Libertadores group stage match on Wednesday.

Di Yorio broke the deadlock just before the hour when he received Nicolas Guerra's pass on the counterattack and took a steadying touch before rifling a low finish past goalkeeper John.

The Brazilian outfit was reduced to 10 men in the 96th minute after striker Igor Jesus was shown a second yellow card for a bad foul on Matias Zaldivia.

Meanwhile, two goals in the final 15 minutes gave Argentina's Velez Sarsfield a 2-1 home win over Uruguayan side Penarol.

Leonardo Fernandez handed Penarol the lead with a low finish just after halftime and the visitor looked to be cruising, before Maher Carrizo and Alvaro Montoro struck in quick succession to snatch victory for the Buenos Aires side.

Elsewhere, Chilean defender Paulo Diaz was on target as River Plate edged to a 1-0 away victory over Peru's Universitario.

Diaz put his side ahead with a close-range effort in the 17th minute following Facundo Colidio's corner.

In other fixtures on Wednesday, San Antonio won 3-2 at home to Olimpia, and Sao Paulo prevailed 1-0 at Talleres Cordoba.

UNI XINHUA AKT GNK