SAO PAULO, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- Seven-time champions Independiente of Argentina advanced to the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals on Tuesday after completing a 3-0 aggregate victory over Brazil's Santos on a day marked by controversy and drama.
Just hours before the match, South American football governing body CONMEBOL awarded Independiente a 3-0 win in the first leg, penalizing Santos for fielding an ineligible player. The match on August 21 in Argentina originally ended in a goalless draw.
Tuesday's return fixture at Sao Paulo's Pacaembu Stadium was also tied 0-0 when homemade grenades thrown by Santos fans exploded near the Argentine team's bench.
Some supporters also invaded the pitch but were quickly subdued by police.
Officials subsequently called the match off, handing Independiente a berth in the last eight of South America's top club competition.
The Brazilian club vowed to challenge the decision to award the first leg to Independiente.
According to CONMEBOL, Santos's Uruguayan midfielder Carlos Sanchez was suspended for the match because of a red card he received while playing for River Plate in 2015.
In a statement, Santos alleged the decision was politically motivated and vowed to "take all steps" to have it overturned.
Meanwhile, defending champions Gremio of Brazil progressed to the quarterfinals after a thrilling 5-3 penalty shootout victory over Argentina's Estudiantes.
Gremio won the second leg in Porto Alegre 2-1, reversing the result of last week's first leg.
In the Colombian city of Medellin, hosts Atletico Nacional were eliminated despite a 1-0 victory over Atletico Tucuman, a result that handed the Argentine side a 2-1 victory on aggregate.
