By NESTOR F. SEBASTIAN

On a day when clubs from Argentina and Brazil were expected to score victories, it was clubs from Venezuela and Ecuador who manage to take points away from their more well-known counterparts in Wednesday's Copa Libertadores action.

Caracas got another win at home against an Argentine side Wednesday, this time toppling Lanus 3-1, with two goals in the first four minutes into the second half. Deadly Lanus strikers Jose Sand and German Cano were unable to capitalize on their chances to raid Caracas' net but finally pulled one back towards the end of the match, with Sand notching the loan Argentine goal.

In Ecuador, Deportivo Quito celebrated a last-minute tie against Brazil's Cruzeiro after Giovanny Caicedo netted one for the reigning domestic champions in injury time.

Universidad de Chile can thank its goalkeeper and captain Miguel Pinto, who put in an heroic performance to help his side notch a goalless draw in Porto Alegre, Brazil against Gremio. The Brazilians could've had a feast in goals but the Chileans combated with disciplined defense although Pinto had to be man of the match for making the correct decisions in and out of his box.

In the last match, Chivas completely trounced Chile's Everton 6-2, giving the Mexicans its third victory over a Chilean side managed by Uruguayan Nelson Acosta.

Libertadores action resumes tonight with two high-profile matches. Juan Sebastian Veron should be able to lead his Estudiantes de la Plata, three-time Libertadores champs, to their first victory in the group stages when they entertain Bolivia's Universitario de Sucre. Last week, the Argentines suffered a 3-0 setback to Cruzeiro. Universitario were unlucky themselves after settling for a 1-1 draw against Deportivo Quito at home last week.

In the late match, American Michael Orozco and San Luis Potosi want to shake off the 4-1 drubbing by San Lorenzo in Argentina last week and try to overcome Paraguay's Libertad. The Paraguayans have done well on Mexican soil in past editions and are coming off of a 2-1 win over Peru's Universitario de Deportes from last week.