Rio de Janeiro: A second-half strike from Diego Souza secured a 1-0 victory for Vasco da Gama over Uruguay's Nacional in the Copa Libertadores.

After a first half of few chances at the Parque Central stadium in Montevideo Thursday, Souza fired in a rebounded effort in the 56th minute after forcing a fine Jorge Brava save.

Former Inter Milan playmaker Alvaro Recoba almost equalized for the home side after taking the field as a 60th minute substitute.

The 36-year-old had barely been on the pitch five minutes when he weaved his way into the penalty area before his shot was kept out by Fernando Prass.

The result means Vasco finishes the group stage on 13 points, equal with Paraguay's Libertad but with an inferior goal difference.

After the match midfielder Fellipe Bastos said Vasco was content with second place in group 5.

"It doesn't really make any difference if we finish first or second," Bastos was quoted as saying by Xinhua.(IANS)