Tight margins take trio into last eight

Michael Rios' away goal proved decisive on Wednesday night as Universidad Catolica squeezed into the quarter-finals of the Copa Sudamericana despite going down 3-1 in the second leg of their last-16 tie against Atletico Goianense. Juan Martin Lasarte's side won the first leg 2-0 in Santiago but made a nightmare start at the Estadio Serra Dourada as the Brazilian hosts levelled the aggregate score within 34 minutes thanks to goals from Joilson and Ronie. However, Rios netted the crucial away goal two minutes before half-time when he lashed home after being set up by Tomas Costa. A penalty from Marcio five minutes after the break gave Atletico real hope of completing a remarkable comeback, but the Cruzados held on to advance on away goals. "Yes, we suffered a lot, but the most important thing is that we are among the best eight teams in the continent," Lasarte said. "(But) we have to improve our performance as visitors if we want to progress even further." The Chilean outfit will face either Argentinian side Independiente or Uruguayan team Liverpool in the last eight. It was more clear-cut in Porto Alegre, where Gremio defeated Barcelona 2-1 to seal a 3-1 aggregate success. After a goalless first half, Narciso Mina silenced the Estadio Olimpico crowd by giving the Ecuadorian visitors a 55th-minute lead. But an own goal by Jose Perlaza and a brilliant free-kick from Ze Roberto in stoppage time ensured Wanderlei Luxemburgo's side progressed. In the quarter-finals the Tricolor will meet Colombian side Millonarios, who on Tuesday night ousted Palmeiras. Finally, Sao Paulo drew 0-0 at home to LDU Loja but moved into the last eight on away goals after the 1-1 first-leg draw in Ecuador. The Brazilian team will next face Ecuador's Emelec or reigning Copa Sudamericana champions Universidad de Chile. From FIFA