| CHILE |
Universidad Catolica ensured that arch-rivals Universidad de Chile came crashing back to earth following their emphatic Libertadores win, beating Jorge Sampaoli's men 2-1 in the Clasico Universitario. The Azul booked their quarter-final place midweek with a 6-0 win over Deportivo Quito, but domestically fell to goals from Nicolas Trecco and Nicolas Castillo as Catolica took the local bragging rights.
Universidad's lead at the top was hence cut to two points, after O'Higgins eased to a 3-1 victory over Audax Italiano to close the deficit. Colo Colo, meanwhile, took a huge step in ensuring their presence in the end of season play-offs. The Cacique currently lie in eighth, two points clear of Union La Calera with one game to play, thanks to Carlos Munoz's strike sealing a narrow victory over Antofagasta on Saturday.
| COLOMBIA |
Atletico Nacional's disappointment at being dumped out of the Copa Libertadores was eased somewhat at
the weekend, as the Medellin giants bounced back with victory over Junior. Having gone out at the hands of Velez Sarsfield midweek, the Verdolaga were fired by goals from Luis Mosquera, Macnelly Torres and Carlos Renteria to win 3-1, and give themselves the faintest chance of making the play-offs.
Elsewhere, Deportes Tolima confirmed top spot in the Apertura with two games to spare as they downed Deportes Quindio in Ibague. Colombia international Gustavo Bolivar opened the scoring before Brenier Bonilla sealed a 2-0 victory, which puts the side seven points clear at the summit. Millonarios, meanwhile, look almost certain to miss out on the top eight. The Bogota side led early against Pasto, but conceded twice in the last 20 minutes to lose 2-1, and now lie 11th - four points behind Chico FC and Deportivo Cali who occupy the last two places for the close season.
| ECUADOR |
The battle for the Primera Fase title could not be any tighter, with no less than four teams within a point of each other at the summit. Independiente Jose Teran saw their lead cut to the narrowest of margins at the weekend, as they crumbled to a 3-0 defeat away to Manta FC to throw the chase wide open.
Three of Ecuador's biggest clubs follow the leaders, as Guayaquil pair Emelec and Barcelona both won to join LDU Quito in joint second. Emelec left it late to record a 2-1 victory over Deportivo Cuenca, while Barca were inspired by goals from Michael Quinonez and Arrinton Mina to down Olmedo. Quito, meanwhile, could have gone top with victory, but had to settle for a draw against Liga de Loja having come back from two goals behind in the second half.
| PARAGUAY |
Cerro Porteno refuse to give up on the 2012 Apertura title, and cut the deficit at the top to three points thanks to victory over Rubio Nu. The Ciclon twice surrendered the lead away from home on Sunday, but an 89th minute strike from Julio dos Santos finally assured a 3-2 victory which moves the Asuncion giants within sight of Olimpia at the summit.
The Decano missed the chance to maintain a five point advantage, as they were held to a draw away to Nacional. Neither side could make the breakthrough, and the game fizzled out into a scoreless tie.
| URUGUAY |
Defensor Sporting maintained their stranglehold on the Clausura leadership, as victory over Cerro Largo put the Violeta one point clear with a game in hand. Diego Ferreira had opened the scoring for the leaders at home, before Diego Rolan hit the winner with six minutes to go to seal a 2-1 triumph. Defensor narrowly lead Liverpool, who were grateful for two penalties from Daniel Vera to see off the challenge of Rentistas.
The big winners from the weekend were Penarol, who destroyed Wanderers to stay within three points of the top. Fabian Estoyanoff netted a double in a 5-1 victory away from home, while Nacional's draw with Rampla Juniors means that the Bolso are level on points with their arch-rivals three games from the end of the season.