Athletico Paranaense crushed Rayo Zuliano with a 6-0 victory to claim sole leadership in Group E of the Copa Sudamericana. In a match where Fernandinho shone, scoring one goal and providing two assists, and Uruguayan Agustín Canobbio netted a brace.

The former Manchester City player is experiencing a second youth at almost 39 years old and tonight led the Brazilian team's exhibition from the midfield, securing their second big win in two matches. Canobbio was another standout, winning a penalty, scoring two goals, and having the potential for more. Brazilian Pablo, Argentine Lucas Esquivel, and also Uruguayan Gonzalo Mastriani completed the scoreline.

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The Curitiba team leads Group E with six points, ten goals scored, and only one conceded. Behind them is Uruguayan side Danubio with four points, while third-placed Sportivo Ameliano from Paraguay has one point. Rayo Zuliano sits at the bottom with two defeats and a very disappointing performance for the rest of the group stage.

Paranaense was a force from start to finish, dominating the match. It was a one-sided affair that began with a penalty caused by Canobbio, which was indiscernible for the Maracaibo squad's defense.

Fernandinho, with all his experience from his time at City, calmly converted the penalty in the 15th minute. The hardest part was done: opening the scoring. The rest of the goals came naturally.

Rayo Zuliano was merely a spectator to Paranaense's show. Saimon Ramírez was the only one who troubled the "Furacão" fans by hitting the crossbar after leaving Pedro Henrique and Godoy on the ground.

And that was it for the visitors' chances. Almost immediately, Fernandinho delivered a cross to Esquivel, who chipped the ball over the goalkeeper to make it 2-0 in the 23rd minute.

The third goal came from Canobbio four minutes later after a rebound from the rival's defense. The Uruguayan forward turned and ruthlessly shot into the net.

To the dismay of the Venezuelan team, Fernandinho conjured up another exquisite through ball that left Pablo one-on-one with Luis Corredor in first-half stoppage time at the 45th minute.

Elvis Martínez, the coach, didn't like what he saw, so he made three substitutions at halftime.

They partially stopped the bleeding, but Mastriani, coming off the bench, completed the rout with a shot that bounced off Hermes Rodríguez in the 66th minute.

And there was still time for Canobbio to score again, cementing Athletico Paranaense's status as favorites for this Sudamericana in the 76th minute.