BUENOS AIRES, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Adrian Martinez scored in the second half as Racing edged to a 1-0 away win over 10-man Velez Sarsfield in the first leg of their all-Argentine Copa Libertadores quarterfinal on Tuesday.
The hosts suffered a blow just before halftime when Lisandro Magallan was dismissed for a second yellow card after a clumsy challenge on Juan Nardoni.
Martinez broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute by side-footing home from inside the six-yard box after Facundo Mura's cross from the right flank.
Racing needs only a draw in next Tuesday's return leg at home to advance to the semifinals of South American football's premier club competition.
"The manager [Gustavo Costas] told us to be calm and that our chances would come," Martinez said after the match. "Velez has a great team and made it very difficult for us. These matches are like finals and you have to find a way to win somehow, which we did."
The Buenos Aires rivals are both seeking their second Copa Libertadores titles, with Racing having triumphed in 1967 and Velez in 1994.
