BUENOS AIRES, April 12 (Xinhua) -- Six-time champions Boca Juniors registered their first victory of the 2022 Copa Libertadores group stage with a 2-0 home win over 10-man Always Ready on Tuesday.
Dario Benedetto opened the scoring in the 25th minute for the Argentine giants and the 31-year-old put the result beyond doubt with a 96th-minute strike.
The Bolivian outfit was forced to play the entire second half with 10 men after Rodrigo Ramallo was shown a straight red card for violent conduct.
The result at La Bombonera left Boca second in Group E, trailing Deportivo Cali on goal difference.
Meanwhile, Rafael Navarro scored four goals as defending champions Palmeiras thrashed Independiente Petrolero 8-1 in Sao Paulo. Raphael Veiga also netted twice for the hosts while Ze Rafael and Rony were also on the scoresheet.
In Rio de Janeiro, Flamengo recorded 3-1 home victory over Talleres Cordoba. Gabriel Barbosa put the hosts ahead by converting an 11th-minute penalty and Everton Ribeiro made it 2-0 with a long-range effort in the 26th minute.
Hector Fertoli reduced the deficit for the Argentine side just before halftime before Ribeiro slotted home Flamengo's third goal following a Bruno Henrique through ball.
In other Copa Libertadores group matches on Tuesday, Penarol won 2-1 at home to Olimpia, hosts Cerro Porteno beat Colon 3-1 and Universidad Catolica prevailed 2-1 at home to Sporting Cristal. ■
