Tempers flare as Palmeiras lose to Argentinos

BUENOS AIRES, Oct 22 (Reuters) - Palmeiras had two players sent off and got into a fight with their opponents after losing 1-0 at home to Argentinos Juniors in their Copa Sudamericana quarter-final first leg in Sao Paulo on Wednesday.

The Brazilians lost their heads after having two goals controversially disallowed by Colombian referee Jose Buitrago and, as the final whistle went, players from the two sides pushed and aimed punches at each other.

The first incident came in the 17th minute when Leo Lima's free kick bounced down off the underside of the Argentinos Juniors crossbar and back into play. The Brazilians claimed it had crossed the line but the referee waved play on.

There was more controversy after halftime when the hosts were awarded a penalty.

Diego Souza converted but the goal was disallowed because he paused during his run-up. His second attempt was saved by goalkeeper Sebastian Torrico.

Sergio Escudero put the Argentines ahead in the 66th minute and Palmeiras had Evandro and Gladstone sent off in the last two minutes for bad tackles as their frustration boiled over.

In other games, Argentina's River Plate lost 2-1 at home to Mexico's Guadalajara, increasing the pressure on beleaguered coach Diego Simeone.

Their latest setback came after a bitter defeat on Sunday by arch-rivals Boca Juniors, who won 1-0 despite playing for most of the second half with 10 men.

The Sudamericana, the region's equivalent of the UEFA Cup, is seen as the last chance for River, who are one from the bottom in the Argentine championship, to salvage something from the second half of the year.

River dominated the first half but were repeatedly foiled by inspired Guadalajara goalkeeper Victor Hernandez. They fell behind to an Omar Arellano goal in the 44th minute.

River continued to press after halftime but the visitors scored again when Fabian de la Mora swept the ball home from close range after a counter-attack.

The hosts pulled one back when Sebastian Abreu converted a stoppage-time penalty.

Two goals from midfielder Alex Meschini gave Brazil's Internacional a 2-0 win over Boca Juniors in Porto Alegre.

The Brazil international collected the ball, burst into the penalty area and scored with an angled shot soon after the break and did the same with two minutes left.

Boca and had substitute Ricardo Noir sent off for a tackle on Magrao in the 78th minute.