Reigning Copa Libertadores champions Estudiantes triumphed 2-0 at nine-man Juan Aurich to take the lead in Group 3 and leave them on the brink of qualifying for the last 16 round.

Gaston Fernandez broke the deadlock six minutes after the interval thanks to an assist from Jose Sosa, before midfielder Rodrigo Brana doubled their lead with a stunning long-range shot in the 67th minute.

Any chance the Peruvians had of getting back into the game evaporated four minutes from time when Jesus Alvarez was shown red for tackling Estudiantes striker Mauro Boselli. And Luis Tejada was also dismissed in the final minute for a foul on Brana to complete a miserable night for Juan Aurich

Estudiantes now have 10 points from five games and will retain top spot in the group if Peru's Alianza Lima lose to already-eliminated Bolivar of Bolivia next week

"We expected a very tough match like it finally was. A lot of things were at risk. Fortunately, we won and now we'll enjoy this and focus on the future," Sosa told Fox Sports.

Brana added: "My goal calmed us down, but we didn't suffer that much. This is a crucial win ahead of our last home game against Alianza Lima. We have secured nothing until we play and we win that game."

In Paraguay, hosts Libertad missed out on the chance to book their spot in the next round after Argentinian side Lanus equalised in the closing minutes. Adalberto Roman got his side off to the perfect start when he headed the ball into the net in the third minute.

They were given a further boost when Lanus striker Santiago Salcedo was sent off four minutes from the break but, with only seven minutes remaining, Maximiliano Velazquez levelled the game with a tight-angled shot.

"We needed more. We failed in some things and they equalised in the end. We wanted to win to progress, but we are still on the road," said Libertad striker Rodolfo Gamarra.

Libertad lead Group 4 with nine points, one above Peru's Universitario and two more than Lanus.