Nacional beat Pumas UNAM

Montevideo:

Gonzalo Castro scored a goal in each half and Nacional of Uruguay beat Mexico's Pumas UNAM 2-0 in the opening Copa Libertadores match for both sides. Nacional dominated from the outset, taking the lead in the 16th minute when Casto redirected a low cross past several Puma defenders. He converted a penalty kick in the 62nd to complete the scoring.

Good chance The Pumas created one good scoring chance in the first half when Bruno Marioni fed Marco Palacios inside the area, but Palacios put the ball high over the crossbar in the 29th. Sebastian Vazquez had three chances for Nacional, a three-time champion that last won the title in 1988, and was responsible for creating Castro's penalty when he was elbowed in the face. Castro easily converted, sending Pumas goalkeeper Odin Patino the wrong way. Second-half substitute Paulo Marcel gave Pumas their best chance in the 67th, breaking in alone against Nacional goalkeeper Jorge Bava only to have Bava bat away the shot. Patino was tested several times, especially in the final 15 minutes after Dario Veron was sent off for rough play. (AP)