Brazilian duo progress in contrasting fashion

Brazilian sides Sao Paulo and Gremio made it into the Copa Libertadores group stage after overcoming Bolivian side Bolivar and Liga Deportiva Universitaria respectively on Wednesday. Copa Sudamericana champions Sao Paulo were 8-4 aggregate winners having gone into the second leg with a 5-0 advantage, while Gremio beat Liga on penalties. Ney Franco's Sao Paulo progressed despite a 4-3 defeat in Bolivia, at 3,600 metres above sea level in La Paz city. Sao Paulo took a very early lead with Luis Fabiano heading home two minutes after kick-off, and managed to take a three-goal lead at the Estadio Hernando Siles as Jadson made it 2-0 at the 15th and Osvaldo added another 11 minutes before half-time. With an eight-goal advantage in the tie, Sao Paulo relaxed and Bolivar put on a show for their fans. William Ferreira reduced the deficit in the 37th minute and Nelson Cabrera netted a brace to equalise. In the 58th minute, Cabrera headed a Gerardo Yecerotte cross from the right and he then levelled the game on the night with a free-kick. After 74 minutes, Ferreira gave Bolivar a consolation win with a penalty. Ney Franco said: "We failed a lot technically. We lost our focus on the game and we paid with a loss." Sao Paulo will go into Group Three alongside compatriots Atletico Mineiro, Bolivian side The Strongest and Arsenal of Argentina. Gremio, meanwhile, defeated Liga Deportiva 1-0 at home in Porto Alegre and won 5-4 on penalties, as Liga had claimed a 1-0 win in Quito last week. Elano netted the goal that levelled the tie at the Arena do Gremio stadium in the 62nd minute, with a great right-foot strike, while Liga ended the game with 10 men as defender Koob Hurtado was sent off in the 88th minute due to a bad challenge on Jean Deretti. In the shoot-out, Gremio keeper Marcelo Grohe saved Eduardo Morante's shot and put the Brazilian team into Group Eight, where they will tackle Brazilian champions Fluminense, Venezuela's Caracas and Huachipato of Chile. From FIFA