Bastos double lifts Vasco to top of group

Rio de Janeiro, April 4 (IANS) Fellipe Bastos scored two goals to take Vasco de Gama to the top of their group as they defeated Alianza Lima 2-1 in Copa Libertadores football in Lima's Alejandro Villanueva stadium.

The Rio de Janeiro-based club took the lead after 17 minutes when Bastos' deflected shot left goalkeeper Salomon Libman with no chance.

Bastos appeared to seal victory Tuesday for the visitors when he doubled the lead 19 minutes from time with a low drive from outside the area, Xinhua reported.

But the Peruvian outfit ensured a tense finish when substitute Miguel Curiel pounced on a Renato Silva mistake to make it 2-1.

Vasco's Nilton was sent off in second-half injury time with a straight red card for dangerous tackle.

The result leaves Vasco with 10 points, three clear of Libertad de Paraguay with Nacional de Uruguay (6) and Alianza (3) completing the group.