Newell`s beat Mineiro in Libertadores semifinals

Rosario, Maxi Rodriguez and Nacho Scocco scored second half goals to give Newell`s Old Boys a 2-0 victory over Atletico Mineiro in their Copa Libertadores football semifinal first leg.

Rodriguez opened the scoring at the Estadio Marcelo Bielsa by heading in Milton Casco`s cross on the hour before Scocco doubled the hosts` lead with a curling 30-metre free-kick 10 minutes from time here on Wednesday, reports Xinhua. The return match will be played at Atletico`s Arena Independencia in the Brazilian city of Belo Horizonte next Wednesday. After the match, Rodriguez said his team still had work to do to make the final of South America`s premier club competition. "The objective was to win and take advantage of playing at home," the former Liverpool winger said. "Atletico are a tough team and they will be difficult to beat in Brazil. But this result is very important." IANS