BUENOS AIRES, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Six-time champions Boca Juniors secured the top spot in their Copa Libertadores group on Thursday with a 1-0 home victory over Deportivo Cali on the final matchday of the competition's first phase.
Alan Varela put the hosts ahead with a 54th-minute strike and the hosts defended solidly thereafter to register their third win from six matches.
The result at La Bombonera meant Boca finished first in Group E with 10 points, one point ahead of second-placed Corinthians.
Deportivo Cali were third with eight points and Always Ready were last with five points.
In other Copa Libertadores fixtures on Thursday, Corinthians were held to a 1-1 home draw by Always Ready, Athletico Paranaense secured a 5-1 home win over Caracas FC and Libertad prevailed 4-1 at home to The Strongest. ■
