A first-half goal from Bruno Henrique gave Flamengo a 1-0 home win over Internacional in the first leg of their all-Brazilian Copa Libertadores round of 16 duel on Wednesday.

Henrique sent a bullet header past goalkeeper Sergio Rochet after Luiz Araujo's delivery from a corner just before the half hour at the Maracana.

Flamengo controlled the match thereafter as the visitors managed only two shots on target.

"It's not possible to win by a big margin every match and I have to give credit to the players for grinding out this win," Flamengo manager Filipe Luis told reporters after the match.

"Every match at this stage of the tournament is difficult and even more so if the opponent is from Brazil."

The return match will be played next Wednesday at Internacional's Beira-Rio stadium in Porto Alegre, with Flamengo needing only a draw to progress to the quarterfinals.

In Wednesday's only other Copa Libertadores round of 16 clash, a late Santiago Ascacibar penalty gave Argentina's Estudiantes a 1-0 away win over Cerro Porteno.