Uruguay's Penarol moved to within touching distance of a place in the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals on Wednesday by romping to a 4-0 home victory over Bolivian side The Strongest.

Leonardo Fernandez, Maximiliano Silvera and Jaime Baez struck before halftime and Facundo Batista completed the rout 18 minutes from time.

"These are games in which everything goes right," Penarol manager Diego Aguirre told reporters in a post-match press conference.

"We started the first half very well, with a great attitude, and that gave us momentum for the rest of the match."

The return fixture will be played in the high altitude of La Paz next Wednesday. Aguirre stressed that his team was not yet assured of a place in the competition's last eight.

"The result was very good for us, but we still have work to do," he said. "Now we have to go to La Paz and play well in a game that is going to have many difficulties. Anything is possible in football, and we have to make sure that we stay focused."

In other Copa Libertadores round of 16 first leg fixtures on Wednesday, River Plate won 1-0 at Talleres Cordoba and Botafogo secured a 2-1 home victory over Palmeiras. 

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