RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) -Renato and Andre Lima scored Wednesday as Brazil's Botafogo defeated Ecuador's Emelec 2-0 in a second round Copa Sudamericana match.
Botafogo can advance to the quarterfinals of the South American competition even if it loses the return match by a one-goal difference next week in Ecuador.
The Brazilian club didn't create many dangerous scoring opportunities but controlled possession at the Engenhao stadium. Emelec relied on counterattacks but was not able to threaten the goal.
Midfielder Renato scored in first-half stoppage when he met defender Gabriel's left-wing cross with a header. Andre Lima doubled the lead with another header in the 63rd after a cross by defender Juninho.
It was Botafogo's second consecutive win in the Copa Sudamericana. The Brazilian club is winless in its last 10 domestic league matches, but advanced to the round of 16 of the second-tier South American club competition by beating Atletico Paranaense 3-2 last week at the Engenhao.
Botafogo is only 18th in the 20-team Brazilian league with 25 points from 25 matches, in the relegation zone, and coach Estevam Soares rested some of the team's regular starters, including strikers Victor Simoes and Reinaldo.
