Cruzeiro edge towards Copa Libertadores knockout berth with 3-0 win over Mineiros de Guayana

Damiao celebrates his goal for Cruzeiro against Mineiros de Guayana

Belo Horizonte, April 9 (IANS) Brazil's Cruzeiro moved a step closer to securing a place in the Copa Libertadores football tournament's knockout phase by defeating Venezuela's Mineiros de Guayana 3-0.

Forward Giorgian de Arrascaeta opened the scoring in the 13th minute at the Mineirao stadium with a bicycle kick after Mayke's looping header on Wednesday, reports Xinhua. Two minutes later Brazil international striker Leandro Damiao controlled a throw-in with his chest before surging into the box and lashing the ball into the top corner.

Henrique made it 3-0 by heading in from a corner kick in the 73rd minute. The result leaves Cruzeiro top of Group 3, two points ahead of second-placed Universitario de Sucre with two group matches remaining. Mineros de Guayana are last with just one point.

Earlier, Argentina's Huracan were held to a 1-1 draw by Bolivia's Universitario de Sucre in Buenos Aires. The Copa Libertadores is South American football's premier club football competition.