BUENOS AIRES, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Julian Fernandez struck late as Velez Sarsfield earned a 3-2 home win over Argentine rivals Talleres Cordoba in the first leg of their Copa Libertadores quarterfinal on Thursday.
Lucas Janson gave the hosts the lead in the third minute with a downward header after Leonardo Jara's cross.
Former Toronto FC winger Janson doubled his tally in the 73rd minute when he again combined with Jara to nod home from close range.
Michael Santos pulled a goal back for Talleres with a precise header from inside the six-yard box after Rodrigo Garro's flicked pass. The visitors rallied and Garro put his own name on the scoresheet by rifling a long-range effort into the top left corner three minutes from time.
Fernandez restored Velez's lead in the 90th minute when he sent a left-footed shot into the bottom right corner after latching onto Maximo Perrone's pass.
Meanwhile, Atletico Mineiro were held to a 2-2 home draw by defending champions Palmeiras in their all-Brazilian quarterfinal first leg. ■
