Ten-man Internacional win away in first leg of final

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Brazilian side Internacional won 1-0 away to Argentina's Estudiantes in the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana final Wednesday despite playing for more than an hour with 10 men.

The visitors appeared to be in trouble when midfielder Pablo Guinazu was sent off after only 24 minutes of the match in La Plata.

But 10 minutes later, the Argentines gave away a penalty when Leandro Desabato fouled Nilmar and Alex Meschini converted for the only goal of the match.

Estudiantes, with former Lazio and Manchester United midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron orchestrating midfield, dominated the second half, repeatedly pumping high balls into the area.

But Internacional defended superbly and were rarely threatened, repelling everything the hosts threw at them.

"It was a strange game, I can't really describe it," said Veron.

The second leg will be played in Porto Alegre on December 3.

(Writing by Brian Homewood; Editing by Greg Stutchbury)