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S.America Round-up: Libertad win Paraguay title

Deportivo San Martin moved closer to winning the 2008 Peruvian championship by losing 1-0 to Cesar Vallejo, the defeat proving to be beneficial thanks to the intricacies of the tournament's format.

PARAGUAY

Libertad finished with 44 points from 22 games, one ahead of Guarani whose 2-0 win over 12 de Octubre was in vain, although it guaranteed them a place in next year's South American Libertadores Cup.

Cerro Porteno and Olimpia, traditionally the country's two big clubs, finished third and seventh respectively after another disappointing season.

Universitario began the weekend's games in tenth place, two points behind Cesar Vallejo, so that if San Martin won their game, it would have meant they were helping Universitario's cause.

In the event, Universitario, who had complained bitterly at San Martin's decision to field reserves, dropped to 11th after being held 0-0 by relegated Sport Boys.

In another game, Alianza Lima, one of the country's biggest clubs, guaranteed first-division survival with a 1-0 win over arch-rivals Sporting Cristal.

Barcelona fans protested angrily after their team were held 1-1 by El Nacional on the final day of the championship and missed out on a place in next year's Libertadores.