Rio De Janeiro, Aug. 15 -- Artur Guimaraes struck early as reigning champions Botafogo clinched a 1-0 home win over Ecuador's LDU Quito in their Copa Libertadores round-of-16 first leg.
Artur put the hosts ahead in the first minute when he latched onto Alex Telles' cross and smashed a left-footed volley past goalkeeper Gonzalo Valle on Thursday.
The visitors had several chances to equalize but were denied by a series of smart saves from goalkeeper John Victor.
The result at Rio's Olympic Stadium means that a draw in next Thursday's return leg in Quito will be enough to secure Botafogo's passage to the last eight.
"It was a tough match against a team that took advantage of the space they had," Botafogo manager Davide Ancelotti told a ...