Argentinian outfit Lanus remained alive in the Copa Libertadores thanks to a 1-0 home win over Blooming of Bolivia on Wednesday.

A 16th-minute penalty by Paraguayan striker Santiago Salcedo gave Luis Zubeldia's side their second win in four games. The victory put Lanus on six points, two below Group 4's joint leaders Libertad of Paraguay and Peru's Universitario, while the result ensured Blooming's elimination.

"This win is very important. We're happy because things are getting better," said Lanus defender Jadson Viera.

Chilean giants Universidad Catolica and Venezuela's Caracas remained at the bottom of Group 8 after they played out a 1-1 draw in Santiago. Jaime Bustamante put Caracas ahead four minutes into the second half following a Dario Figueroa free-kick. Catolica levelled through Juan Jose Morales, who headed home Milovan Mirosevic's cross with nine minutes remaining.

After four games, Catolica have collected only three points, one more than Caracas, while leaders Universidad de Chile (seven points) and Brazilian giants Flamengo (six) play their fourth match on 7 April in Rio de Janeiro.

Cruzeiro joined Argentina's Velez Sarsfield on top of Group 7 as they won 2-0 over Deportivo Italia of Venezuela, who were eliminated by the loss. The Belo Horizonte side needed only six minutes to take the lead as Fabinho nodded home after a corner kick. Pedro Ken doubled the advantage after 69 minutes, having been on the pitch only two minutes.

Cruzeiro reached the seven-point mark in the group alongside Velez Sarsfield, who can recover the sole lead if they take at least a point from their home game against Chilean giants Colo Colo tonight.

The eight group leaders and the six best runners-up will progress to the last 16.