Cerro Porteno beats La Paz in Sudamericana

Paraguay's Cerro Porteno had a comfortable 2-0 win over Bolivia's La Paz in Wednesday's first leg of their Copa Sudamericana first-stage tie.

Goals from Roberto Nanni and Jorge Britez gave Cerro Porteno the advantage heading into the return leg in La Paz on Aug. 20.

In the day's other match, Fluminense was held to a 0-0 draw at home against Rio de Janeiro rival Flamengo. Flamengo hit the post twice in the first 10 minutes, but neither side could break the deadlock. The return leg is on Aug. 26.

Argentine striker Nanni gave Cerro Porteno the lead after latching onto a Celso Ortiz through ball in the 21st minute and lifting his finish over La Paz goalkeeper Leonardo Fernandez.

The lead was doubled when a long throw in the 55th minute found its way through to Britez, who scored to make Cerro Porteno favorites to progress to the last 16 stage.

La Paz's hopes of a comeback or a precious away goal were hit when defender Julio Irrazabal was sent off in the 63rd minute.

The Cerro Porteno-La Paz winner will face the victor of an all-Brazilian tie between Atletico Mineiro and Goias.

Either Fluminense or Flamengo will progress to take on either Peru's Alianza Atletico or Venezuela's Deportivo Anzoategui.

The Copa Sudamericana, South America's No.2 club tournament after the Copa Libertadores, features 31 clubs from 10 different nations.

The preliminary round continues through August and September, before further knockout stages leading to the final in December.