Mexico City, May 25 (IANS) Ecuadorian football club Independiente del Valle advanced to the Copa Libertadores semi-finals for the first time by defeating Mexico's Pumas UNAM in a penalty shoot-out.
Having lost last week's first leg 1-2 in Quito, Pumas on Wednesday took the overall lead within 18 minutes after two goals from Argentine striker Ismael Sosa, reports Xinhua.
Independiente's chances were dealt another blow when defender Luis Ayala was shown a straight red card for a bad tackle just before the hour mark.
But the visitors rallied with Junior Sornoza scoring in the 66th-minute to equal the ledger.
The game was forced into a penalty shootout and Sosa turned from hero to villain by being the only player to miss his spot-kick.
In the semi-finals, Independiente will meet six-time Argentina champions Boca Juniors, while Brazil's Sao Paulo will play Colombian outfit Atletico Nacional.
