Brazilian side Palmeiras defeated compatriots Sport Recife 3-1 on penalties to progress to the quarter-finals of the Copa Libertadores.

After winning the first leg 1-0 in Sao Paulo last week, Palmeiras were eight minutes from winning the second leg in normal time before Wilson struck to make it 1-0 to Sport and level the tie overall.

The game went to penalties where goalkeeper Marcos became the star of the show, denying Luciano Henrique, Fumagalli and Dutra to secure qualification for Vanderlei Luxemburgo's side.

"We knew it would be a very hard match. Thank God I played an excellent game," the 36-year-old Marcos said.

Palmeiras will now face Uruguayan giants Nacional, who automatically advanced to the quarterfinals due to Mexican side San Luis' withdrawn.

San Luis and Guadalajara chose to withdraw from the Copa Libertadores after the Mexican Football Association chose not to accept the CONMEBOL's suggestion that they should play only one leg in their respective round-of-16 ties away from home due to the swine flu outbreak in Mexico.

Another team that advanced were Venezuelan giants Caracas, who comfortably defeated Ecuador's Deportivo Cuenca 4-0 to complete a 5-2 aggregate win.

This is the first time in their history that Caracas have reached the quarter-finals of the Copa Libertadores.

Argentinian play-maker Diego Figueroa put the hosts ahead from the penalty spot while Mexican Rodrigo Prieto doubled the advantage with a header before the break.

In the second half, an impressive long range effort by Emilio Renteria extended the advantage for the Venezuelans before Jose Manuel Rey made it 4-0.