Cicero gives Gremio edge in Copa Libertadores fil

Porto Alegre, Nov 23: A late strike from Cicero handed Brazilian football club Gremio a 1-0 home victory over Argenti's Lanus in the first leg of the Copa Libertadores fil here.

The result means that Gremio need only a draw in the return leg in greater Buenos Aires next Wednesday to secure South America's top club title for a third time.

The hosts had their goalkeeper Marcelo Grohe to thank for denying Lanus a crucial away goal with two superb first-half saves at Gremio Are on Wednesday.

First he palmed away a fizzing long-range effort from Roman Martinez while at full stretch and then he showed feline agility by keeping out a bullet Diego Braghieri header.

After creating most of the first-half scoring chances, the Argentine outfit were more content to sit back and defend after the break. Bruno Cortez sent Lanus hearts fluttering with a 30-yard drive that flew just over the bar before Gremio filly broke the visitors' resistance seven minutes from time. IANS