Soccer-Champions Internacional knocked out of Libertadores

By Brian Homewood

RIO DE JANEIRO, April 19 (Reuters) - Defending champions Internacional fell at the first hurdle in the Libertadores Cup on Thursday, going out in the group stage despite beating Nacional 1-0 in their final game.

Nacional, one of Uruguay's most popular clubs and three-times former champions, qualified from Group Four behind Argentina's Velez Sarsfield, who beat Emelec by the same score.

Velez topped the group with 11 points from six games. Nacional and Internacional finished on 10 each but the Uruguayans qualified for the last 16 on goal difference.

Forward Fernandao's 81st minute goal in Porto Alegre was too late for the Brazilians, who needed to beat Nacional by a three-goal margin or hope that Velez failed to overcome Emelec.

Internacional, who are also the reigning world club champions, created a flurry of first-half chances.

Defender Martin Hidalgo had two ferocious free kicks turned away by Nacional goalkeeper Fernando Muslera and 17-year-old striker Alexandre Pato had three good efforts.

The closest was in the 19th minute when he headed against the crossbar, the ball rebounded onto Muslera's back and somehow bounced out of play.

Internacional lost momentum after defender Indio was sent off in the 66th minute for stamping on an opponent.