Copa Libertadores: River start with Colo win

RIO DE JANEIRO, Feb 22 (Reuters) - River Plate made an excellent start to the Libertadores Cup on Thursday, beating Chilean champions Colo Colo 2-1 away in a full-blooded Group Six match.

Leonardo Ponzio and Ernesto Farias scored either side of halftime as the Argentines picked up three points in their most difficult fixture of the group stage.

Humberto Suazo pulled one back for the hosts who, despite fanatical backing from their fans in Santiago, were generally disappointing.

River, twice former champions, dominated the first half although Suazo was twice close when he volleyed wildly over from close range and hooked the ball wide after a sweeping move down the right.

Daniel Passarella's team went ahead in first-half stoppage-time when a quickly-taken free kick was slipped to Ponzio, who rifled a 35-metre shot into the right corner of Sebastian Cejas's goal.

Colo Colo, the only Chilean team to win the Libertadores, surrounded the referee to complain that they were not ready but the goal stood.

Farias scrambled the second following a free kick nine minutes after the re-start to put River in command.

Colo Colo hit back seven minutes later when Arturo Sanhueza's sweeping pass upfield flew over the River rearguard and found Suazo, who fired past Juan Carrizo.

Despite having Colombian striker Radamel Falcao Garcia sent off for elbowing, River continued to control the game and Victor Zapata rifled against the crossbar. Colo Colo substitute Luis Mena was dismissed in the 90th minute.

Caracas FC gave Venezuela their first win of the competition by beating LDU 1-0 at home in the same group early on Thursday.

Midfielder Alejandro Guerra scored in the 76th minute from a rebound after LDU goalkeeper Cristian Mora failed to hold Edder Perez's cross.