Boca romps, while Fred's hat-trick sparks Cruzeiro
Boca Juniors bounced back from its loss to Athletico Paranaense with a 4-0 rout of Jorge Wilstermann in the Copa Libertadores, while hat-trick hero Fred led Cruzeiro.
Last season's runner-up Boca were swept aside 3-0 on matchday three in Group G, however, the Argentinian giants were ruthless against Jorge Wilstermann on Wednesday.
Emanuel Reynoso put Boca ahead in the 36th minute before Dario Benedetto converted a 63rd-minute penalty as the hosts took control in Buenos Aires midweek.
Mauro Zarate made it 3-0 with five minutes remaining, while a stoppage-time own goal from Alex Silva added further gloss to the scoreline against the Bolivian visitor.
Boca improved to seven points thanks to their second victory, two points adrift of group leaders Paranaense.
Meanwhile, it was the Fred show as the former Brazil international striker lifted Cruzeiro to a crushing 4-0 win at home to Huracan, sealing a last-16 spot in the process.
Fred scored a stunning first-half hat-trick to help Cruzeiro preserve its 100 per cent record after four matches in Group B.
The 35-year-old's looping header after 19 minutes set the tone before he side-footed his second goal into an empty net four minutes later.
Fred's treble was sealed just past the half-hour mark with another header, while Dodo added a fourth for Cruzeiro with seven minutes remaining in Belo Horizonte.
Luiz Felipe Scolari's Palmeiras defeated Junior 3-0 thanks to goals from Deyverson, Dudu and Hyoran.
Palmeiras is second in Group F, a point adrift of leader San Lorenzo – which beat the Brazilian giant last time out.
Elsewhere, Gremio won its first match in the Libertadores this season after Thursday's (AEST) 3-1 victory at home to Rosario Central.
Libertad is six points clear in Group H – eight ahead of Gremio – and through to the round of 16 after it edged Universidad Catolica 3-2.
Cerro Porteno – also through to the next round – made it four wins from four games with a convincing 4-1 victory against Atletico Mineiro in Group E, Nacional prevailed 1-0 over Zamora and Sporting Cristal beat Universidad Concepcion 2-0.
