BUENOS AIRES, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Miguel Merentiel scored in the second half as Boca Juniors edged to a 1-0 home win over Sao Paulo in the first leg of their Copa Sudamericana quarterfinal on Tuesday.
The hosts went ahead in the 52nd minute when Merentiel thumped a close-range finish into the roof of the net after his initial attempt was blocked by goalkeeper Rafael.
Sao Paulo looked in control for long periods at La Bombonera but lacked incisiveness in attack.
"We have a handy lead," Merentiel said after the match as he looked ahead to next week's return fixture in Brazil.
"It's eleven against eleven and we're going to go there to fight. We'll try to hold onto the result, and if we can score another goal, even better. But we're going to go out there and compete." ■
