Cruzeiro have gained a 2-1 advantage over Once Caldas in the Copa Libertadores Round of 16 as 2009 champions Estudiantes were held at home.
The Brazilian Serie A runners-up now head into the second leg against their Colombian opponents with two valuable away goals after Wallyson and Jose Ortigoza found the back of the net.
Cruzeiro goalkeeper Fabio produced a fine effort in goal to save several goal-bound efforts.
His opposite number Luis Enrique Martinez kept out on-loan Marseille forward Brandao s effort in the first before Dayro Moreno s effort crashed into the woodwork.
The Brazilians opened their account in the 72nd minute through Wallyson and then doubled their lead ten minutes later through Paraguayan substitute Jose Ortigoza.
But Luis Nunez then pulled one back for the Colombians, who need to score two unanswered goals in the reverse leg in Brazil next Wednesday to progress to the quarter-finals.
Elsewhere, Santos of Brazil collected a handy 1-0 advantage in their first leg against Mexico s America, with AC Milan target Ganso scoring the solitary goal.
Argentinian Primera Division Apertura champions and 2009 Copa winners Estudiantes were frustrated by Paraguay s Cerro Porteno as the two sides played out a scoreless stalemate in La Plata.
Cerro Porteno goalkeeper Diego Barreto kept the home side at bay with a string of saves, while team-mate and the competition s top-scorer Roberto Nanni had his effort beaten away in the first half.
Mexico s Jaguares recorded a 1-1 stalemate against Junior of Colombia.
Junior forward Luis Paez opened the scoring in the 7th minute in Chiapas, Mexico, but his goal was cancelled out by Jaguares Colombian forward Jackson Martinez in the 57th minute.
