Tigre, Iquique advance to group stage

Argentinian side Tigre clinched reached the Copa Libertadores group stage for the first time by destroying Anzoategui 3-0 in Venezuela for a 5-1 aggregate win on Tuesday. Tigre controlled the game from the moment man of the match Ruben Botta opened the scoring in the seventh minute, and they doubled their lead after the break through Paraguayan forward Federico Santander. Home midfielder Ebelio Hernandez saw red five minutes from time and a minute later striker Ezequiel Maggiolo sealed the clash with a header. The Copa Sudamericana runners-up will go into Group Two, alongside Peruvian side Sporting Cristal, Brazilians Palmeiras and Libertad of Paraguay. Chilean Iquique also reached their first Libertadores group stage by defeating Mexican side Leon 4-2 on penalties after the tie ended 2-2 on aggregate. After a tight first half, Colombian striker Yovanny Arrechea volleyed the visiting Mexicans ahead a minute into the second period but Argentinian Rodrigo Diaz levelled from the spot before the hour mark. That made it 1-1 on the night and 2-2 on aggregate, but it was the home side who were more accurate in the shoot-out. Iquique will take their place in Group Four, with Ecuadorian side Emelec, Uruguayan giants Penarol and Argentina's reigning champions Velez. From FIFA