QUITO, Ecuador (AP) — Ecuador's Liga de Quito once again topped a Brazilian team in the Copa Libertadores and beat favorite Palmeiras 3-0 on Thursday in their first leg of the tournament's semifinal.

All the goals came in the first half, which left the hosts with confidence they could maintain the advantage next week in Sao Paulo as they look to win their second South American title.

The Ecuadorians, who eliminated Botafogo and Sao Paulo in the South American tournament, were the better team at kickoff at the Rodrigo Paz Delgado Stadium, which lies over 2,800 meters (9,200 feet) above sea level.

Liga de Quito had already squandered several opportunities when Gabriel Villamil scored the first of his two goals from close range in the 16th minute. A handball by Andreas Pereira allowed Lisa

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