By NESTOR F. SEBASTIAN

South America saw the return of a former Argentine international after a six-month injury layoff, a former World Football Player of the Year make headlines off the pitch and several former MLS players play their part in some matches throughout the continent this past weekend as some of the squads get ready for additional Libertadores group-stage contests this week.

Here is a rundown of the action in South America's top leagues:

BRAZIL

Juan Pablo Sorin returned to Cruzeiro after a six-month absence from injury to help his team to a 3-1 win over Ituiutabe in the Minas Gerais championship. Sorin was let go by Hamburg in July 2008 after injuries plagued his time with them and Cruzeiro offered to pick him up and help with his rehabilitation. 

Palmeiras got their ninth victory in 10 games with a 1-0 win over Guarani, which leaves them four points ahead of second-place Corinthians, which fined former FIFA Player of the Year Ronaldo for showing up to training late after being spotted at the clubs all night. The 32-year-old, whose been bothered by knee problems over the past few years, is expected to make his Corinthians debut against Palmeiras next Sunday.

ARGENTINA

San Lorenzo scored 30 seconds into the game against River Plate to complete a 5-1 rout of Los Millonarios. Ex-DC United player Marcelo Gallardo came on in the 55th minute for River.

Boca Juniors took care of business at home against Huracan 3-1 with a goal by Martin Palermo and two goals in six minutes by Luciano Figueroa, who replaced Palermo in the 77th minute. Arsenal are the league leaders on goal difference after this round following their win over Estudiantes de la Plata 3-1.

PARAGUAY

Former LA Galaxy and FC Dallas striker Carlos Ruiz notched his first goal for Olympia in a 1-1 tie with Sol America in the third round of the Apertura championship. Cerro Porteno are the leaders after a 1-0 victory over Guarani.

URUGUAY

Rain was the main culprit in the Racing-Penarol tilt, which was suspended at 0-0. Play should resume Monday. Defensor Sporting leads the Clausura after a 3-0 win over last-place Bella Vista.

PERU

Nolberto Solano continued to impress on his triumphant return to Peru as he buried a penalty in Universitario's 1-1 draw at Cusco against Cienciano, which foolishly gave up a foul inside the box in the 93rd minute. Solano netted his third goal of the season for La U, which now shares first place with Alianza Lima.

Alianza topped Juan Aurich 3-1, and Sporting Cristal, which claimed its second straight 5-0 win, this time over Sport Ancash.

ECUADOR

Liga de Quito routed crosstown rival Deportivo Quito, 4-0, in the city's derby, with two goals from Argentine Claudio Bieler. The other round's clasico between Barcelona and Emelec ended up in a 0-0 stalemate.

CHILE

Universidad de Chile, coming off of a strong 0-0 draw at Gremio in last week's Libertadores match, couldn't continue its momentum and instead had to settle for another goalless tie against lowly Municipal.

Colo Colo, playing with some second-team members ahead of its Libertadores tie against Palmeiras on Tuesday, also looked lost as it fell to a modest Rangers de Talca side 2-1. Union Espanola held on for a 2-2 draw against Audax Italiano to maintain its lead in the Chilean Apertura.

VENEZUELA

Deportivo Tachira squeezed by Minerven with a 1-0 win to close the gap on leaders Caracas FC, who had the weekend off to rest for Tuesday's Libertadores contest at home against Chivas, which promises to be a decent match.

COLOMBIA

Deportivo Cali just got by America de Cali in the clasico on a goal by Andres Perez. America hasn't won in the past three matches in the Colombian tourney and need a decent showing against Brazil's Sao Paolo Thursday in Libertadores to calm its increasingly-frustrated fan base.

Meanwhile, former Metrostars/Red Bulls striker Sergio Galvan Rey had the goal for last-place Atletico Nacional as they bowed to Tolima 2-1. Atletico Junior topped Deportivo Pasto 2-0 to claim first place in the Copa Mustang.

BOLIVIA

The Strongest, with two goals by Pablo Vasquez, shut out La Paz in the city derby while Bolivar lost for the second straight week at home, this time to Real Potosi, which now shares the lead with Nacional Potosi in the Bolivian champioship.

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What do you think of this weekend's action in South America? Surprised to see Ronaldo in trouble already? Glad to see Gallardo in the mix with River again? Curious to see how much Carlos Ruiz has left in the tank?

Share your thoughts below.