RIO DE JANEIRO, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Brazil international forward Everton Soares netted a brace as Gremio edged closer to a place in the Copa Libertadores knockout phase with a 2-0 victory at Libertad on Tuesday.
Everton struck just before the half-hour mark for the Brazilian side before doubling his tally six minutes from time at the Defensores del Chaco stadium in Paraguayan capital Asuncion.
Despite the result, Libertad remain top of Group H with 12 points from five matches, five points clear of second-placed Gremio.
Meanwhile, Brazil's Cruzeiro secured their fifth win from as many matches with a 2-0 victory at Deportivo Lara in Venezuela.
Former Brazil striker Fred opened the scoring in the 31st minute and Luis Alves extended the visitors' lead by converting a late penalty.
Cruzeiro now have 15 points from five matches, nine more than second-placed Emelec of Ecuador, who clinched a 2-1 away win over Argentina's Huracan earlier on Wednesday.
In other matches, Olimpia drew 3-3 at Universidad de Concepcion, Godoy Cruz completed a 2-0 home victory over Sporting Cristal and Nacional won 1-0 at Atletico Mineiro.
